Star orchid facts for kids
Thelymitra stellata, often called the star orchid or starry sun orchid, is a special type of orchid. It belongs to the Orchidaceae family. This beautiful flower grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It has one tall, flat, and leathery leaf. The plant can have up to twelve flowers. These flowers are usually brown or reddish-brown with yellow stripes and spots. The center part of the flower, called the column, has wide, fringed, orange or yellow parts that look like wings.
Quick facts for kids Star orchid |
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| Genus: |
Thelymitra
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| Species: |
stellata
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Contents
What Does the Star Orchid Look Like?
The star orchid is a tuberous plant, meaning it grows from a special underground stem. It is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. Each plant has one leaf that stands up straight. This leaf is flat, leathery, and shaped like a spear or an egg. It can be about 50 to 150 mm (2 to 6 inches) long and 10 to 40 mm (0.4 to 1.6 inches) wide.
Flowers and Their Features
The star orchid has between two and twelve flowers on a single stem. The stem can grow to be about 150 to 250 mm (6 to 10 inches) tall. The flowers are usually brown to reddish-brown with yellow streaks and blotches. Each flower is about 25 to 50 mm (1 to 2 inches) wide. The outer parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, are about 12 to 25 mm (0.5 to 1 inch) long and 6 to 8 mm (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide.
The central part of the flower is called the column. It is orange-brown at the bottom and then turns orange. The column is about 6 to 8 mm (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long and 3 to 4 mm (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. It has pale yellow "wings" that are deeply fringed, almost like a fancy trim. The back of the column has many short hairs. The top part of the anther (where pollen is made) looks a bit like a mudskipper fish.
When Do Star Orchids Bloom?
These orchids rely on insects to help them pollinate. Their flowers only open on sunny days. You can usually see the star orchid flowering in October and November.
How the Star Orchid Got Its Name
The star orchid was first officially described in 1840 by a scientist named John Lindley. He published his description in a book called Edwards's Botanical Register. The scientific name for this orchid is Thelymitra stellata. The word stellata comes from Latin and means "starred" or "starry." This name was chosen because the flowers look like little stars.
Where Do Star Orchids Live?
The star orchid grows in areas with low heath plants or small shrubs in forests. Most of these orchids are found between Three Springs and Pinjarra in Western Australia. There is also a separate group of them growing near Dumbleyung.
Protecting the Star Orchid
The Thelymitra stellata is a very special plant, and it needs our help to survive. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife lists it as "Threatened Flora." This means it is a rare plant that needs protection. The Australian Government also lists it as "Endangered" (EN) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Threats to the Star Orchid
There are a few main things that threaten the star orchid:
- Fires: Fires that happen when the plant is growing can harm it.
- Rabbits: Rabbits sometimes eat the plants, which can reduce their numbers.
- Habitat Loss: When the places where the orchids live get broken up into smaller pieces, it makes it harder for them to survive and spread.
