Slender beard orchid facts for kids

The slender beard orchid (also called the late beard orchid) is a special type of orchid. Its scientific name is Calochilus gracillimus. This orchid only grows in eastern Australia. It has one dark green leaf with a reddish bottom. Its flowers are green with red stripes. They also have a reddish, brownish, or purplish "beard" of hairs.

What Does the Slender Beard Orchid Look Like?

The slender beard orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times. This plant has an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root.

It grows one thick, dark green leaf. This leaf is shaped like a line or a spear. It can be 150–300 mm (6–10 in) long. The leaf is about 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The bottom part of the leaf is reddish. The leaf is fully grown when the first flower opens.

The plant produces a tall flowering stem. This stem can be 300–450 mm (10–20 in) tall. It holds between two and nine flowers. Each flower is green with red stripes. The flowers are 30–37 mm (1.2–1.5 in) long. They are also 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide.

The top part of the flower, called the sepal, is 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long. It is about 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The side sepals are similar in length but thinner. The petals are 7–8 mm (0.28–0.31 in) long. They are about 5 mm (0.2 in) wide.

The most interesting part is the labellum. This is the orchid's "lip." It is flat and can be 30–34 mm (1.2–1.3 in) long. It is about 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide. Near its base, it has short purple bumps called calli. The middle of the labellum has rough, reddish, brownish, or purplish hairs. These hairs can be up to 7 mm (0.3 in) long. The very tip has a special "tail" that is 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long.

The central part of the flower, called the column, has two purple "eyes." These "eyes" are connected by a faint line. This orchid usually blooms from November to January.

How the Slender Beard Orchid Got Its Name

The scientific name Calochilus gracillimus was first officially written down in 1943. This was done by a person named Montague Rupp. He published his description in a magazine called The Victorian Naturalist. He found the plant near Woy Woy.

The second part of the name, gracillimus, comes from a Latin word. It means "slenderest." Rupp said this name was perfect for the labellum (the "lip" of the flower). He also said it fit the whole flower because it looks very slender.

Where Does the Slender Beard Orchid Live?

The slender beard orchid likes to grow on ridges and slopes. It lives in forests and woodlands. You can find it in New South Wales, mainly north of Woodford. It also grows in southeastern Queensland.