Cupped freckle orchid facts for kids
The cupped freckle orchid (Rhinerrhizopsis matutina) is a special type of orchid. It grows on other plants, usually trees, but it doesn't harm them. This orchid is known for its thin roots and beautiful yellowish flowers. These flowers have brown spots, making them look "freckled"! You can find this unique plant in the rainforests of tropical North Queensland, Australia.
Quick facts for kids Cupped freckle orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rhinerrhizopsis
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| Species: |
matutina
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What Does the Cupped Freckle Orchid Look Like?
The cupped freckle orchid is a plant that grows on trees. It has thin roots that spread out and a stem that is about 5 to 12 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) long. This orchid usually has between three and eight leaves. These leaves are dark green and feel a bit like leather. They can be quite long, from 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) in length, and about 5 to 6 centimeters (2 to 2.5 inches) wide. Sometimes, the leaves have pink or purple marks.
This orchid produces many flowers, usually between ten and fifty of them. The flowers are a yellowish-brown color with brown blotches, like freckles! They grow on an arching stem that can be 30 to 45 centimeters (12 to 18 inches) long. Each flower is shaped like a cup and is about 1.2 to 1.5 centimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) wide. A cool fact about these flowers is that they only last for less than one day!
The parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, are shaped like small spatulas. The sepals are about 8 to 11 millimeters long, and the petals are a bit smaller, about 6 to 7 millimeters long. The orchid also has a special lip-like part called a labellum. It is white or yellowish, about 5 to 6 millimeters long, and has three sections. The side sections curve inwards, and the middle section is small with a tiny spur. You can see these orchids flowering from July to September.
Where Does Its Name Come From?
The cupped freckle orchid was officially named in 2006. Two botanists, David Jones and Mark Clements, gave it its scientific name, Rhinerrhizopsis matutina. The second part of the name, matutina, comes from a Latin word. It means "of the morning" or "early." This name was chosen because the orchid's flowers are very short-lived. They often open and close within a single morning.
Where Does This Orchid Live?
The cupped freckle orchid loves to grow on trees in rainforests. It especially likes areas near the edges of forests, close to streams, or along roadsides. This orchid is found in specific parts of tropical North Queensland, Australia. You can find it in places like the Iron Range and McIlwraith Range.
