Tenterden yellow spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tenterden yellow spider orchid |
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| Caladenia straminichila near Tenterden | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caladenia
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| Species: |
straminichila
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| Synonyms | |
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Caladenia sp. 'Moodiarrup' |
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The Tenterden yellow spider orchid (scientific name: Caladenia straminichila) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
This orchid has one tall, hairy leaf. It also grows one or two pale yellow flowers. These flowers have a special lip-like part called a labellum. This labellum is striped with red and has small teeth on its sides.
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What Does This Orchid Look Like?
The Tenterden yellow spider orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It can sometimes grow in small groups of up to five plants.
Each plant has a single leaf that stands straight up. This leaf is about 6 to 12 centimeters (2.4 to 4.7 inches) long. It is pale green and often has reddish-purple spots.
The orchid produces one or two yellow flowers. These flowers are quite large, about 8 to 11 centimeters (3.1 to 4.3 inches) wide. They grow on a stalk that is 12 to 20 centimeters (4.7 to 7.9 inches) tall.
Flower Parts
The sepals and petals of the flower are thin and long. They start wider at the base and then become very narrow, like a thread. These thread-like tips are dark brown.
The top sepal stands up and then curves slightly forward. The side sepals and petals spread out. Then they curve downwards.
The most interesting part is the labellum, which is the orchid's "lip." It is about 1.1 to 1.3 centimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long. It is yellow with red lines and spots. The sides of the labellum have short, wide teeth that point forward. The tip of the labellum curls under.
In the center of the labellum, there are two rows of shiny, creamy yellow bumps. These bumps are called calli and look like tiny anvils. This orchid usually blooms from August to early October.
How It Got Its Name
The Tenterden yellow spider orchid was officially described in 2015. Two scientists, Andrew Phillip Brown and Garry Brockman, gave it its scientific name, Caladenia straminichila.
They published their description in a science journal called Nuytsia. The name straminichila comes from Latin and Greek words. "Stramineus" means straw-yellow, and "chilus" means lip. This name describes the yellow color of the orchid's labellum.
Before it got its official name, people knew this orchid as Caladenia sp. 'Moodiarrup'.
Where Does It Live?
The Tenterden yellow spider orchid grows in Western Australia. You can find it in the area between Porongurup National Park and Manjimup.
It prefers to grow in open woodlands. Here, it lives among scattered shrubs.
Is It Safe?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants. They have classified Caladenia straminichila as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
