Weeping cherub orchid facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Weeping cherub orchid
Illustration by Lewis Roberts
Scientific classification
Genus:	Trichoglottis
Species:	australiensis

The Trichoglottis australiensis, also known as the weeping cherub orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows on other plants or rocks, forming small groups. This orchid has thick roots that look like cords, flat stems that branch out, and many thick, shiny leaves. It also has beautiful creamy yellow flowers with reddish spots. You can only find this orchid in tropical North Queensland, Australia.

What Does the Weeping Cherub Orchid Look Like?

The weeping cherub orchid is a plant that doesn't have a woody stem. It grows in messy groups. It has thick, cord-like roots and flat, branching stems that can be 100–500 millimetres (3.9–20 in) long.

Its leaves are thick, shiny, and leathery. They are shaped like a spear and are 70–120 millimetres (2.8–4.7 in) long and 2–25 millimetres (0.079–0.98 in) wide. These leaves grow in two rows along the stems.

The flowers are creamy yellow with reddish blotches. They are about 10–12 millimetres (0.39–0.47 in) long and wide. These flowers grow in groups of two to six on stems that come out from where the leaves meet the main stem (called the axil).

Each flower has three main parts:

• The dorsal sepal (the top leaf-like part) is about 7 millimetres (0.28 in) long and 2 millimetres (0.079 in) wide.
• The lateral sepals (the two side leaf-like parts) are a bit wider.
• The petals (the colorful inner parts) are about the same size as the dorsal sepal.
• The labellum (a special lip-like petal) is about 5 millimetres (0.20 in) long and 2.5 millimetres (0.098 in) wide. It has three parts, and the middle part is a bit hairy.

This orchid usually blooms from November to May.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The weeping cherub orchid was first officially described in 1967. A scientist named Alick Dockrill wrote about it in a magazine called The Orchadian. He studied a plant found by Malcolm Brown in the McIlwraith Range.

The second part of its scientific name, australiensis, means "from Australia." The ending -ensis is a Latin suffix that means "from a place" or "country."

Where Does This Orchid Live?

The weeping cherub orchid likes to grow on trees and rocks. It prefers places with lots of plants, like along small valleys (gullies) and other damp areas.

You can only find this orchid in the Iron and McIlwraith Ranges in Queensland, Australia. It grows at heights between 400 and 600 metres (1,300 and 2,000 ft) above sea level.

Protecting the Weeping Cherub Orchid

This orchid is considered "vulnerable" by the Queensland Government. This means it's a special plant that needs protection so it doesn't disappear. It's important to keep its home safe!

See also

In Spanish: Trichoglottis australiensis para niños