Crystal Brook sun orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crystal Brook sun orchid |
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| Thelymitra magnifica growing near Lesmurdie | |
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Thelymitra
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| Species: |
magnifica
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The Crystal Brook sun orchid (scientific name: Thelymitra magnifica) is a special type of orchid. It belongs to the Orchidaceae family. This beautiful flower grows only in a small part of Western Australia, in the south-west. It has one tall, flat, leathery leaf. Its flowers are dark golden brown with yellow streaks. They grow close together, usually up to eight on one stem. The center part of the flower, called the column, has wide, fringed wings that are yellow or brownish.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Crystal Brook sun orchid is a tuberous plant. This means it has a swollen underground stem that stores food. It is also a perennial herb, so it lives for more than two years and has soft stems.
It grows a single leaf that stands straight up. This leaf is flat and feels like leather. It can be shaped like a spear or an egg. The leaf is about 5 to 15 centimeters (2 to 6 inches) long. It is also about 2 to 3 centimeters (0.8 to 1.2 inches) wide.
The plant produces between two and eight flowers. These flowers are a dark golden brown color. They have bright yellow streaks and blotches. Each flower is about 2.5 to 4 centimeters (1 to 1.6 inches) wide. They grow close together on a stem that can be 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) tall.
The outer parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, are about 1.2 to 2 centimeters (0.5 to 0.8 inches) long. They are about 0.5 to 0.7 centimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. The lowest petal, called the labellum, is a bit narrower than the others.
The central part of the flower, the column, is golden brown near its base. It turns yellow towards the top. This column is about 0.5 to 0.7 centimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. It has wide, fringed wings that spread out. There are also small glands on its back. The top part of the anther (where pollen is made) has a short lobe on it.
These orchids are pollinated by insects. Their flowers only open on sunny days. You can usually see them flowering in September and October.
How It Got Its Name
The scientific name for this orchid is Thelymitra magnifica. It was first officially described in 2006. A scientist named Jeff Jeanes gave it this name. He found a sample of the orchid near a place called Crystal Brook.
The second part of its name, magnifica, comes from a Latin word. This word means "noble," "eminent," or "splendid." This name was chosen because the flowers of this orchid are very beautiful and impressive.
Where Does It Live?
The Crystal Brook sun orchid grows in specific areas of Western Australia. It likes to grow near wandoo trees. These trees are found on slopes in the Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain areas. You can find this orchid between Gooseberry Hill and Armadale.
Why Is It Important to Protect It?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has a special list. On this list, Thelymitra magnifica is called "Priority One".
This means the orchid is known from only a few places. These places might be at risk. Because it's so rare, it's very important to protect this beautiful orchid and its habitat.
