Red shell orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red shell orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
erythroconcha
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| Synonyms | |
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Diplodium erythroconchum (M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The red shell orchid, also known by its scientific name Pterostylis erythroconcha, is a special type of orchid. It is only found in South Australia. Like many orchids, this plant looks different when it's flowering compared to when it's not.
When the red shell orchid isn't flowering, it has a group of leaves that grow in a circle, like a rosette. But when it's ready to bloom, a single flower grows on a tall stem, with leaves along the stem itself. This unique orchid has a flower that is white and green, with cool reddish-brown patterns. It also has a long, thick, and curved part called a labellum.
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What Does the Red Shell Orchid Look Like?
The red shell orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root. It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years, and it's deciduous, so some parts die back each year.
When the plant is not flowering, it has a rosette of about three to ten egg-shaped leaves. Each leaf is about 60–150 mm (2–6 in) long and 3–8 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide.
The Flower's Special Features
Flowering plants usually have one flower on a stem that grows 60–150 mm (2–6 in) tall. The flower itself is about 25–30 mm (1–1 in) long and 9–11 mm (0.4–0.4 in) wide. These flowers are a bit see-through (translucent white) with reddish-brown stripes and marks.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals are joined together. They form a hood or "galea" that covers the central part of the flower, known as the column. The dorsal sepal curves forward and has a sharp point or a thin, thread-like tip about 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) long.
The side parts of the flower, called the lateral sepals, stay close to the hood. They have a straight, thread-like tip about 25–30 mm (0.98–1.2 in) long. The labellum is a thick, fleshy, reddish-brown part that sticks out. It's about 16–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. You can see these beautiful flowers from April to August.
Where Does the Red Shell Orchid Grow?
The red shell orchid likes to grow in sandy soil that contains limestone. It often forms large groups, especially near the coast. You can find this orchid in the south-east part of South Australia, often in areas with "mallee" trees, which are a type of eucalyptus.
How Was the Red Shell Orchid Named?
The scientific name Pterostylis erythroconcha was first officially described in 1985. Two botanists, Mark Clements and David Jones, described it from a plant they found near Corny Point.
The name erythroconcha comes from two Ancient Greek words:
- Erythros means "red".
- Konche means "snail".
This name likely refers to the reddish color and perhaps the shell-like shape of the flower's labellum.
