Wyong sun orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wyong sun orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thelymitra
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| Species: |
adorata
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The Wyong sun orchid, also known as the praying sun orchid, is a special type of orchid. Its scientific name is Thelymitra adorata. This beautiful plant grows only in a very small part of New South Wales, Australia. It has one large, upright, thick leaf and can have up to thirteen deep blue flowers. These flowers are unique because they can pollinate themselves.
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What Does the Wyong Sun Orchid Look Like?
The Wyong sun orchid is a tuberous plant, which means it grows from a thick, underground stem like a potato. It is also a perennial herb, so it lives for more than two years and does not have a woody stem. Each orchid has one dark green leaf that stands straight up. This leaf is thick and has a channel, or groove, down the middle. It can be about 14 to 40 centimeters (5.5 to 15.7 inches) long and 0.5 to 2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.8 inches) wide. The bottom part of the leaf is often purplish.
Flowers and Their Unique Parts
The Wyong sun orchid can have up to eighteen deep blue flowers. These flowers grow on a tall stem that can reach between 25 to 65 centimeters (9.8 to 25.6 inches) high. Each flower is about 1.4 to 2.2 centimeters (0.6 to 0.9 inches) wide.
The flower has parts called sepals and petals. These are like the outer leaves of the flower. They are about 0.6 to 1.2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long and 0.3 to 0.65 centimeters (0.1 to 0.3 inches) wide. The back of these parts is light brown.
Inside the flower, there is a special part called the column. This column is pink or purplish and measures about 4.5 to 6.5 millimeters (0.18 to 0.26 inches) long and 2.5 to 4 millimeters (0.1 to 0.16 inches) wide. The top part of the column, called the anther lobe, is dark brown or black with a yellow tip. It is shaped like a tube and curves sharply, with a small notch at the end. The side parts of the column curve upwards and have messy, mop-like tufts of white hairs.
When Do Wyong Sun Orchids Bloom?
Wyong sun orchids usually bloom from September to November. Their flowers are special because they are self-pollinating. This means they can make seeds without needing pollen from another plant or help from insects. The flowers only open up on sunny days.
How Was the Wyong Sun Orchid Named?
The Wyong sun orchid, Thelymitra adorata, was officially described for the first time in 2011. A scientist named Jeff Jeanes gave it its formal description. He published his findings in a scientific journal called Muelleria. The first plant used for this description was found near Wadalba.
The second part of its scientific name, adorata, comes from a Latin word. It means "honor," "esteem," or "worship." This name was chosen because when you look at the column of the flower from the side, it looks a bit like a person in prayer. This is why it's also called the "praying sun orchid."
Where Does the Wyong Sun Orchid Live?
The Wyong sun orchid grows in specific places in New South Wales. It usually lives in grassy woodlands. You can find it in very small, separate groups (called colonies) between the towns of Wyong, Warnervale, and Wyongah. These colonies are quite isolated from each other.
Why Is the Wyong Sun Orchid Endangered?
The Wyong sun orchid is a very rare plant. It only grows in a few small, isolated spots. Because of this, it is facing several threats that make it hard for the species to survive.
- Weed Invasion: Other plants, called weeds, can grow where the orchids live and take away their space, water, and nutrients.
- Habitat Loss: The places where the orchids grow are being broken up into smaller pieces (habitat fragmentation). This happens when land is cleared for buildings or roads.
- Disturbance: Human activities or changes to the environment can disturb the orchid's habitat, making it harder for them to thrive.
- Poor Management: Sometimes, the way land is managed isn't helpful for the orchids, which can put them at risk.
Because of these threats, the Wyong sun orchid is listed as "critically endangered." This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. It is protected under two important laws: the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) in Australia, and the New South Wales Government NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act. These laws aim to help protect the orchid and its habitat.
