Starry hairseed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Starry hairseed |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thrixspermum
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| Species: |
platystachys
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The starry hairseed (scientific name: Thrixspermum platystachys) is a type of orchid. It often grows on other plants or rocks. This orchid forms messy clumps with many tangled, thin roots. It has up to ten stiff, leathery leaves. Its flowers are star-shaped and cream-colored. They have a special orange and white part called a labellum. You can find this orchid in places from Papuasia all the way to northern Queensland.
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About the Starry Hairseed Orchid
The starry hairseed is a plant that grows on other plants (called an epiphyte). It can also grow on rocks (called a lithophyte). It forms messy, hanging clumps. It has many thin, wiry roots. Its flattened stems are about 100–250 millimetres (3.9–9.8 in) long.
This orchid usually has between five and ten stiff, leathery leaves. These leaves are about 80–150 millimetres (3.1–5.9 in) long. They are also about 30–40 millimetres (1.2–1.6 in) wide. The leaves grow in two rows.
Starry Hairseed Flowers
The flowers of the starry hairseed smell nice. They are shaped like stars and are cream-colored. Each flower is about 30–40 millimetres (1.2–1.6 in) long. They are also about 40–60 millimetres (1.6–2.4 in) wide. The flowers grow on a flattened, wiry stem. This stem is about 100–250 millimetres (3.9–9.8 in) long.
The sepals are parts of the flower that look like petals. They are about 30–35 millimetres (1.2–1.4 in) long. They are also about 3 millimetres (0.12 in) wide. The actual petals are shorter and narrower. The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is orange and white. It is about 15 millimetres (0.59 in) long and 9 millimetres (0.35 in) wide.
The labellum has three sections, called lobes. The side lobes stand upright. They are about 3 millimetres (0.12 in) long and 6 millimetres (0.24 in) wide. The middle lobe is short and thick. It has a small spur that is about 4 millimetres (0.16 in) long. This orchid does not flower at a specific time. It flowers whenever it can.
How the Starry Hairseed Got Its Name
The starry hairseed was first officially described in 1886. A scientist named Frederick Bailey gave it the name Sarcochilus platystachys. He wrote about it in a book called A Synopsis of the Queensland Flora. He studied a plant collected by Thomas Bancroft near the Johnstone River.
Later, in 1911, another scientist named Rudolf Schlechter changed its name. He renamed it Thrixspermum platystachys. The second part of its scientific name, platystachys, comes from ancient Greek words. Platys (πλατύς) means "broad" or "flat". Stachys (στάχυς) means "ear of grain".
Where the Starry Hairseed Lives
Thrixspermum platystachys grows in rainforests. It grows on trees inside the forest. It also grows on single trees near the coast. These coastal spots are often windy and open.
You can find this orchid in several places. It lives in New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Bismarck Archipelago. In Queensland, Australia, it grows on the Cape York Peninsula. It can be found as far south as Townsville.
