Native strap orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Native strap orchid |
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| Illustration by Lewis Roberts | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Vanda
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| Species: |
hindsii
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The Native Strap Orchid (also called Vanda hindsii) is a cool plant. It's a type of orchid that grows in big clumps. You can find it growing on other plants (that's called an epiphyte) or on rocks (that's a lithophyte).
It has thick, white roots that look like cords. Its stems branch out, and it has many thick, leathery leaves that look like straps. When it blooms, it usually has three to seven shiny brown flowers. These flowers have greenish or yellow spots and a white lip, called a labellum. You can find this orchid in places like New Guinea and tropical North Queensland.
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What Does the Native Strap Orchid Look Like?
The Native Strap Orchid is a plant that forms large, messy clumps. It grows on trees or rocks. It has thick, white roots that look like cords. Its stems can grow up to about 3.3 feet (1 meter) long.
This orchid has many thick, leathery, and shiny leaves. They are arranged in two rows along the stems. Each leaf is like a strap, about 8 to 16 inches (200-400 mm) long. They are also about 1.2 to 1.6 inches (30-40 mm) wide.
When the orchid flowers, it usually has three to seven brown blooms. These flowers have greenish or yellowish marks. Each flower is about 1.2 to 1.4 inches (30-35 mm) long and wide. They grow on a stiff stem that is about 4 to 8 inches (100-200 mm) long.
The flower has parts called sepals, which are about 0.55 to 0.63 inches (14-16 mm) long. The petals are about the same length but a bit narrower. The orchid's lip, or labellum, is white. It is about 0.47 to 0.55 inches (12-14 mm) long. This lip has three parts, called lobes. The side lobes stand up and curve. The middle lobe is about 0.28 inches (7 mm) long with a small notch at its tip. It also has a small spur about 0.16 inches (4 mm) long. This orchid mostly flowers from November to March.
How Was This Orchid Named?
The Native Strap Orchid, or Vanda hindsii, was first officially described in 1843. A scientist named John Lindley wrote about it. He published his description in a science paper called the London Journal of Botany.
The plant was found by Richard Brinsley Hinds. The second part of the orchid's scientific name, hindsii, is a way to honor him. It's common for new species to be named after the person who first found them.
Where Does the Native Strap Orchid Live?
The Native Strap Orchid grows in humid forests. It likes to live on trees and rocks. You can find this orchid in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. In Queensland, Australia, it lives in specific areas. These areas include the Carron Valley, Iron Range, and the McIlwraith Range.
Why Is This Orchid Protected?
The Native Strap Orchid is considered "vulnerable." This means it's at risk of becoming endangered. Both the Australian and Queensland governments protect it. They do this through special laws.
The Australian Government's law is called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Queensland Government's law is the Nature Conservation Act 1992. These laws help to protect the orchid and its home. This way, future generations can still see this unique plant.
