Talbot's spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Talbot's spider orchid |
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| Caladenia pendens subsp. talbotii in the Wandoo National Park | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Caladenia |
| Species: |
C. pendens
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| Subspecies: |
C. p. subsp. talbotii
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| Trinomial name | |
| Caladenia pendens subsp. talbotii Hopper & A.P.Br.
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Caladenia pendens subsp. talbotii, also known as Talbot's spider orchid, is a special type of plant in the orchid family. This orchid is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It has a single leaf that feels a bit hairy. Its flowers are white, red, and yellow, with long parts that hang down. Sometimes, these beautiful flowers even smell like citrus fruits!
Contents
What Does Talbot's Spider Orchid Look Like?
Talbot's spider orchid is a plant that grows on the ground. It lives for many years and loses its leaves in some seasons. It has a special underground part called a tuber, which helps it store food.
Leaves and Stems
Each plant has one leaf that stands straight up. This leaf is covered in fine hairs. It is usually about 8 to 12 centimeters (3 to 5 inches) long and 3 to 5 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. The flowers grow on a stem that can be 16 to 25 centimeters (6 to 10 inches) tall.
Flowers and Their Features
Each plant usually has one or two flowers. These flowers are quite large, about 10 to 14 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) long and 8 to 10 centimeters (3 to 4 inches) wide. They are a mix of white, red, and yellow colors.
The flowers have parts called sepals and petals. These parts have long, thin, brown tips that hang downwards, like threads.
- The top sepal stands upright. It is about 6 to 12 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) long.
- The side sepals are also long, about 6 to 12 centimeters (2 to 5 inches). They point down near their base and then droop.
- The petals are about 5.5 to 9 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) long. They spread out sideways at first, then also droop downwards.
The most interesting part is the labellum, which is a special lip-like petal. It is about 1.1 to 1.7 centimeters (0.4 to 0.7 inches) long and 0.9 to 1.2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) wide. It is creamy-white with red lines and spots. The sides of the labellum curve upwards, and its tip curves downwards. There are two rows of cream-colored, anvil-shaped bumps called calli in the middle of the labellum.
When Does it Bloom?
Talbot's spider orchid flowers from September to mid-October. This type of orchid has darker sepals and petals, and a shorter labellum compared to another similar subspecies.
How Was This Orchid Named?
This orchid was first officially described in 2001. Two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Phillip Brown, wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia. They also described two different types, or subspecies, at that time. The name talbotii was chosen to honor Len Talbot. He was one of the first people to realize that this particular orchid was a unique type.
Where Does Talbot's Spider Orchid Live?
Talbot's spider orchid grows in a specific area of Western Australia. You can find it between the towns of Beverley and Watheroo. It likes to grow in woodlands where a type of tree called wandoo is common.
Is This Orchid Safe?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at Talbot's spider orchid. They have classified it as "not threatened," which means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
