Kangaloon sun orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kangaloon sun orchid |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thelymitra
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| Species: |
kangaloonica
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The Kangaloon sun orchid (Thelymitra kangaloonica) is a very special and rare type of orchid. It grows only in a tiny part of New South Wales, Australia. This beautiful flower has a single upright leaf and can have up to forty deep blue flowers with darker lines.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The Kangaloon sun orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber (like a small underground storage stem). It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It has one upright, thick leaf that is about 150 to 350 mm (6 to 14 inches) long. The leaf is also about 5 to 25 mm (0.2 to 1 inch) wide. The bottom part of the leaf is often purplish.
The orchid can have up to forty deep blue flowers. These flowers have darker lines, like veins, on them. Each flower is about 15 to 30 mm (0.6 to 1.2 inches) wide. They grow on a tall stem that can be 200 to 550 mm (8 to 22 inches) high.
Flower Parts
The outer parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, are about 8 to 18 mm (0.3 to 0.7 inches) long. They are also about 4 to 8 mm (0.16 to 0.3 inches) wide. The back of these parts is brownish. The central part of the flower, called the column, is white or light blue. It is about 5 to 5.5 mm (0.2 inches) long. The column is also about 2.5 to 3.5 mm (0.1 inches) wide.
The top part of the anther (where pollen is made) is yellow with a purple stripe. It looks somewhat flat and strap-like. The side parts of the column curve inward. They have a short, white, brush-like tuft of hairs. These orchids usually bloom in late October and November.
How It Got Its Name
The Kangaloon sun orchid was officially named in 2011. It was named by a scientist called Jeff Jeanes. The description was published in a science journal called Muelleria. The first plant used to describe the species was found near Robertson.
The second part of its scientific name, kangaloonica, comes from the town of Kangaloon. This is the area where the first example of the plant, called the type specimen, was discovered.
Where It Lives
The Kangaloon sun orchid grows in swampy areas. It likes to grow among sedges and rushes. This orchid is very rare. It can only be found in three specific places near Robertson and Kangaloon in New South Wales.
Why It Needs Our Help
The Kangaloon sun orchid is in big trouble. It only grows in three small areas. Because of this, it is listed as "critically endangered." This means it is very close to disappearing forever.
Threats to the Orchid
Several things are threatening this special orchid:
- Wrong Fire Management: Fires that happen too often or not enough can harm the swamps where it grows.
- Grazing Animals: Animals eating the plants can damage them.
- Drying Swamps: The swamps where the orchid lives are drying out. This means the plant doesn't have enough water to survive.
Both the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the New South Wales Government's NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act list this orchid as critically endangered. This shows how important it is to protect this rare and beautiful flower.
