Tailed spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tailed spider orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
caudata
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The Caladenia caudata, often called the tailed spider orchid, is a special plant. It belongs to the amazing orchid family. This orchid is found only in Tasmania, which means it is endemic there. It grows on the ground and has one fuzzy leaf. Its flowers are usually red, or a mix of yellow and red. They have cool dark red or almost black tips.
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What Does It Look Like?
The tailed spider orchid is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It is also a deciduous herb, so its leaves fall off at certain times. It has a special underground part called a tuber, which stores food.
Its single leaf is long and narrow, like a spear. It is very hairy and can be 10–16 cm (4–6 in) long. The leaf is often reddish or purplish near its bottom part. It starts to grow in late autumn after the rain.
The Flowers
This orchid can have up to four flowers on one stem. Each flower is about 40–50 mm (1.6–2.0 in) wide. The stem itself is hairy and grows 8–15 cm (3–6 in) tall.
The flowers are usually red or pinkish. Sometimes they have a bit of yellowish-green. A cool feature is their dark red to almost black tips. These tips are found on the sepals and petals. Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. Petals are the colorful parts of the flower.
The top sepal, called the dorsal sepal, is long, about 50–60 mm (2.0–2.4 in). It stands up straight at first, then bends forward. The side sepals are a bit shorter and wider. They spread out wide and their tips hang down a little. The petals are similar but slightly smaller.
The most interesting part is the labellum. This is a special lip-like petal. It is shaped like a heart and is 15–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long. The labellum is reddish to cream-colored with a reddish-black tip. It has three main parts, called lobes. The side lobes have 7 to 9 pairs of tiny, narrow teeth. The middle lobe curves strongly downwards and has many small teeth along its edges.
In the middle of the labellum, there are four to six rows of dark red bumps. These bumps are called calli. The central part of the flower, called the column, is about 11–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long.
Tailed spider orchids can flower from mid-August to mid-November. But once they open, their beautiful flowers usually last for only about a week!
How It Got Its Name
The tailed spider orchid was first officially described in 1948. A person named William Henry Nicholls gave it its scientific name, Caladenia caudata. He wrote about it in a science magazine called The Victorian Naturalist.
The second part of its name, caudata, comes from a Latin word. The Latin word cauda means "tail." This name probably refers to the long, tail-like tips on its sepals and petals.
Where It Lives
This type of orchid is found all over Tasmania. It likes to grow in dry, open areas. You can find it in places with low, shrubby plants (called dry heath). It also grows in open woodlands that have a lot of grass. These areas are usually close to the coast.
How It Reproduces
The tailed spider orchid needs help to make new seeds. Scientists believe that a type of wasp helps it. This wasp is called the thynnid wasp, and its scientific name is Lophocheilus villosus. The wasp helps to carry pollen from one flower to another. This process is called pollination.
Protecting This Orchid
The tailed spider orchid is a very special plant, but it is also in danger. It is listed as "Vulnerable" under important laws in Tasmania and Australia. This means it needs our help to survive.
Even though more than forty groups of these orchids are known, it's hard to find them. In many places, individual plants haven't been seen for many years. Only a few plants have been found in other areas.
One big reason this orchid is in trouble is that its home has been cleared away. People have removed the dry heath and woodlands to make space for farms. Also, these orchids can be hard to spot. They don't flower very often, but they sometimes bloom more after events like bushfires. Protecting their habitat is very important to keep them safe.
