Northern lawyer orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern lawyer orchid |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sarcochilus
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| Species: |
argochilus
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The northern lawyer orchid (scientific name: Sarcochilus argochilus) is a small, special type of orchid. It grows on other plants, like trees, but it's not a parasite. This orchid is found only in Queensland, Australia. It has thin leaves and pretty flowers that are bright green or yellowish-green. Each flower also has a white part called a labellum.
About the Northern Lawyer Orchid
The northern lawyer orchid is a small plant that grows on other plants. It has stems that are about 3 to 8 centimeters (1.2 to 3.1 inches) long. These stems have between two and eight leaves.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this orchid are dark green. They are thin but also quite stiff. Each leaf is shaped like an oblong and measures about 8 to 15 centimeters (3.1 to 5.9 inches) long. They are also about 3 to 4 centimeters (1.2 to 1.6 inches) wide.
The orchid produces between two and twelve flowers. These flowers are bright green or yellowish-green. Each flower is about 1.8 to 2.2 centimeters (0.7 to 0.9 inches) long and 2 to 2.5 centimeters (0.8 to 1.0 inches) wide. They grow on a flowering stem that is about 9 to 14 centimeters (3.5 to 5.5 inches) long.
The flower has parts called sepals, which are about 1 to 1.5 centimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long. The petals are a bit shorter and narrower. The white labellum is about 6 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. It also has some small reddish-brown marks. The labellum has three parts, with the side parts standing up. This orchid usually blooms between June and December.
How it Got its Name
The northern lawyer orchid, Sarcochilus argochilus, was officially named in 2006. Two botanists, David Jones and Mark Clements, gave it its name. They wrote about it in a magazine called Australian Orchid Review. They studied a sample of the plant found in the Eungella National Park.
Where it Lives
The northern lawyer orchid grows on trees and vines. It likes to live in rainforests and other places that are very humid. You can find this orchid in Queensland, Australia. It grows in areas between the Mount Lewis National Park and Toowoomba.
