Slender-leafed duck orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Slender-leafed duck orchid |
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The slender-leafed duck orchid (also known as Caleana gracilicordata) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This small orchid blooms later in the year. It has one smooth, heart-shaped leaf. Its flower is a mix of greenish-yellow and red. You can often find it growing in mossy spots on big rocks called granite outcrops.
What Does It Look Like?
The slender-leafed duck orchid has a single leaf. This leaf is smooth and shaped like a narrow heart. It can be dull green or dull red. The leaf is about 15 to 20 millimeters (0.6 to 0.8 inches) long. It is also about 3 to 4 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. By the time the orchid flowers, its leaf usually dries up.
Usually, only one flower grows on each plant. The flower is greenish-yellow and red. It is about 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) long. It is also about 15 to 20 millimeters (0.6 to 0.8 inches) wide. This flower sits on a stem that is about 55 to 70 millimeters (2.2 to 2.8 inches) tall.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, hangs downwards. The side parts, called lateral sepals and petals, also hang down. The dorsal sepal presses against a part called the column. This forms a shape like a small bucket. About half or one-third of the flower's lip (called the labellum) is covered in shiny black bumps. These bumps are called glands or calli. The labellum also has a flat top. This orchid flowers from late October to November.
How It Got Its Name
The slender-leafed duck orchid was first officially described in 2006. Two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown, gave it the name Paracaleana gracilicordata. They wrote about it in a science journal called Australian Systematic Botany. Their description came from a plant found near Jarrahdale.
Later, in 2014, other scientists studied the orchid's genes. Based on their findings, Joseph Miller and Mark Clements moved all Paracaleana species into the Caleana group. That's why this orchid is now called Caleana gracilicordata.
The second part of its name, gracilicordata, comes from two Latin words. Gracilis means "slender" or "thin." Cordata means "heart-shaped." So, the name describes the slender, heart-shaped leaf of this orchid.
Where Does It Live?
Caleana gracilicordata grows in special places. It lives with mosses and lichens. You can find it on large granite rocks. These rocks are located between Waroona and the Brookton Highway. This area is part of the Jarrah Forest region in Western Australia.
Protecting This Orchid
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of special plants. They have classified Caleana gracilicordata as "Priority One." This means it is known from only a few places. These places could be at risk. So, this orchid needs special care to protect it.
