Stumpy spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stumpy spider orchid |
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| Caladenia ensata growing in Joondalup | |
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Caladenia
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| Species: |
ensata
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The stumpy spider orchid (scientific name: Caladenia ensata) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This orchid is quite common in its home area. It has one fuzzy leaf and usually grows up to three flowers. These flowers are often pale yellow and red. They have short, thick tips that feel a bit fleshy.
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What Does the Stumpy Spider Orchid Look Like?
The stumpy spider orchid has a single leaf that stands straight up. This leaf is covered in tiny hairs. It can be about 7 to 14 centimeters (3 to 5.5 inches) long and 2 to 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch) wide.
The Unique Flowers of the Orchid
The plant usually grows one to three flowers. These flowers are about 3 to 4 centimeters (1.2 to 1.6 inches) wide. They grow on a stem that can be 20 to 35 centimeters (8 to 14 inches) tall. The flowers are usually pale yellow and red, or sometimes greenish and red.
The parts of the flower that look like petals and sepals (leaf-like parts protecting the bud) have narrow, thick tips. These tips can be 2 to 12 millimeters (0.1 to 0.5 inches) long.
- The top sepal stands up straight. It is about 3 to 3.5 centimeters (1.2 to 1.4 inches) long.
- The side sepals are similar in size but spread out wide. They stick out stiffly, pointing downwards.
- The petals are about 2.2 to 2.8 centimeters (0.9 to 1.1 inches) long. They are arranged like the side sepals.
The Labellum: A Special Flower Part
The labellum is a special lip-like part of the orchid flower. For the stumpy spider orchid, it is about 1.2 to 1.4 centimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long and 0.8 to 1 centimeter (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. It is greenish-yellow with a red tip. Along the sides of the labellum, there are a few short, pointed green teeth. In the middle, there are four or more rows of maroon-colored bumps called calli. These calli can be up to 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) long.
When Does the Orchid Bloom?
You can see the stumpy spider orchid in flower from September to early November.
How Was This Orchid Named?
The stumpy spider orchid was first officially described in 1947. A scientist named William Henry Nicholls found a sample of it near the King River in Western Australia. He wrote about it in a science magazine called The Victorian Naturalist.
The scientific name ensata comes from a Latin word, ensis, which means "sword." This name was chosen because the tips of the petals and sepals look a bit like tiny swords.
Where Does the Stumpy Spider Orchid Live?
This orchid is found in Western Australia, mainly between the towns of Albany and Augusta. It likes to grow in sandy soil within woodlands, especially in areas known as the Jarrah Forest and Warren regions.
Even though it's a common orchid, it can sometimes be hard to spot. This is because it's quite small and its colors can blend in with its surroundings.
Is the Stumpy Spider Orchid Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the stumpy spider orchid. They have officially said that it is "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
