Pale sun orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pale sun orchid |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thelymitra
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| Species: |
pallidiflora
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The pale sun orchid (Thelymitra pallidiflora) is a special type of orchid that grows only in Victoria, Australia. It has a single, tall, grooved leaf and can grow up to ten flowers. These flowers are usually white or a very light blue. What's cool about them is that they only open up on really hot days! They also pollinate themselves, which means they don't need insects to help them make seeds.
What Does the Pale Sun Orchid Look Like?
The pale sun orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber (like a small underground storage part). It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It has one straight, grooved leaf that can be about 100 to 250 millimeters (4 to 10 inches) long and 5 to 12 millimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) wide. The bottom part of the leaf is often purplish.
This orchid grows a flowering stem that can be 150 to 450 millimeters (6 to 18 inches) tall. Along this stem, it has between two and ten flowers. Each flower is white or very pale blue and can be 10 to 30 millimeters (0.4 to 1.2 inches) wide.
The parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, are about 10 to 20 millimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) long. The central part of the flower, called the column, is white or pale blue. It's about 5 to 6.5 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long.
A special part on top of the anther (which holds pollen) is dark brown or black with a yellow tip. It's shaped like a tube and gently curved. The side parts of the column curve upwards and have white hairs that look like tiny toothbrushes. These orchids usually flower in October and November. Remember, their flowers only open slowly on warm or hot days!
How Did the Pale Sun Orchid Get Its Name?
The pale sun orchid was officially named in 2004 by a scientist named Jeff Jeanes. He wrote about it in a scientific journal called Muelleria. The first plant used to describe this species was found near Bells Beach.
The second part of its scientific name, pallidiflora, is from Latin. It means "pale-flowered," which perfectly describes the light color of its blooms!
Where Does the Pale Sun Orchid Live?
The pale sun orchid grows in woodlands in the central southern part of Victoria. You can find it in areas near Lysterfield, Anglesea, and Crib Point. This orchid is endemic to Victoria, meaning it naturally grows only in that region and nowhere else in the world!
