Shy limestone spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shy limestone spider orchid |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Caladenia |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
C. b. subsp. cleistogama
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| Trinomial name | |
| Caladenia bicalliata subsp. cleistogama Hopper & A.P.Br.
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The Caladenia bicalliata subsp. cleistogama, often called the shy limestone spider orchid or sandhill spider orchid, is a type of plant in the orchid family. It grows naturally in the south-west part of Western Australia. This orchid has one upright, hairy leaf and usually one or two cream-colored flowers. These flowers are smaller than those of its close relative, Caladenia bicalliata subspecies bicalliata.
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What the Shy Limestone Spider Orchid Looks Like
The shy limestone spider orchid is a ground-dwelling plant that grows from an underground bulb, called a tuber. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years, and it loses its leaves in the dry season. You might find it growing alone or in small groups.
It has one leaf that stands up straight. This leaf is very hairy and shaped like a line or a spear. It grows about 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) long and 2 to 5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.2 inches) wide.
The flowers grow on a tall stem, called a raceme, which is about 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) high. Each stem usually has one or two flowers. Each flower is about 25 millimeters (1 inch) long and 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) wide.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, narrows suddenly about one-third of the way from its base. The side sepals and petals are much shorter than those of the bicalliata subspecies. They don't have reddish-brown tips and are a lighter greenish-cream color.
The orchid's special lower petal, called the labellum, is white with red spots. It has a jagged or saw-like edge. Along the center of the labellum, there are two rows of small bumps, called calli, which have white tips.
This orchid flowers from August to early September. However, its flowers usually do not open fully, which is why it's called "shy."
How This Orchid Got Its Name
The plant Caladenia bicalliata was first officially described by Richard Rogers in 1909. Later, in 2001, two scientists named Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown described two different types (subspecies) of this orchid. One of these was subspecies cleistogama. They published their findings in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The name cleistogama comes from a Latin word meaning "fertilized within the unopened flower." This name was chosen because this type of orchid often pollinates itself without its flowers ever fully opening.
Where the Shy Limestone Spider Orchid Lives
The shy limestone spider orchid grows in a narrow strip along the coast of Western Australia. You can find it on stable sand dunes between William Bay National Park and Cape Arid National Park. These areas are part of the Esperance Plains and Warren regions.
Protecting This Orchid
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the shy limestone spider orchid. They have classified Caladenia bicalliata subsp. cleistogama as "not threatened," which means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
