Summer spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Summer spider orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
flavovirens
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| Synonyms | |
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Arachnorchis flavovirens (G.W.Carr) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The Caladenia flavovirens, also known as the summer spider orchid or Christmas spider orchid, is a special plant from the orchid family. It grows only in Victoria, Australia. This ground orchid has a single hairy leaf and usually one or two pale greenish-yellow flowers.
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What Does the Summer Spider Orchid Look Like?
The summer spider orchid is a plant that grows in the ground. It comes back every year and has a special underground storage part called a tuber. It also has one long, hairy leaf that is about 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) long and 0.8 to 2 centimeters (0.3 to 0.8 inches) wide.
One or two pale greenish-yellow flowers grow on a stem that can be 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 24 inches) tall. The flower parts, called sepals and petals, become very thin and thread-like at their tips, which are brownish.
- The top sepal stands upright and is about 9 to 13 centimeters (3.5 to 5 inches) long.
- The side sepals are longer, about 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) long.
- The petals are about 7.5 to 9.5 centimeters (3 to 3.7 inches) long.
The flower's "lip" (called the labellum) is shaped like an egg. It is about 1.5 to 2.3 centimeters (0.6 to 0.9 inches) long and 1 to 1.2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) wide. This lip is yellowish-green with a maroon (dark red) tip that curls under. It has many thin "teeth" along its edges. There are also four to six rows of red or yellow bumps (called calli) down the middle of the lip. These orchids usually bloom in December and January.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The summer spider orchid was first officially described in 1991 by a scientist named Geoffrey Carr. He found a sample of the plant near Montrose. The scientific name flavovirens comes from two Latin words. Flavus means "golden-yellow" or "yellow," and virens means "green." This name describes the greenish-yellow color of its flowers.
Where Does the Summer Spider Orchid Live?
The summer spider orchid grows among shrubs near the coast. It also lives in open forests on mountains where there is grass or heath plants. This orchid is only found in Victoria, Australia. It used to be common in many areas, but now it is quite rare. It might even be completely gone from places like Portland, Lorne, and Marlo.
Is the Summer Spider Orchid Protected?
Yes, the Caladenia flavovirens is listed as "rare" by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries in Victoria. This means it is a plant that needs protection to make sure it doesn't disappear.
