Velvet jewel orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Velvet jewel orchid |
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Rhomboda
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| Species: |
polygonoides
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The velvet jewel orchid (scientific name: Rhomboda polygonoides) is a special type of orchid. It grows on the ground, which means it's a terrestrial plant. You can find this beautiful orchid in places like New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, and north-eastern Queensland.
This orchid has interesting leaves. It usually has five to nine leaves that are shaped like narrow eggs. They are purplish-green and have a cool white stripe right down the middle. The plant also grows up to fourteen flowers. These flowers are green and white and hang in a unique way. Their side parts, called sepals, stick out almost flat.
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What the Velvet Jewel Orchid Looks Like
The velvet jewel orchid is a herb. This means it has soft stems, not woody ones like a tree. It grows from a tuber, which is like a small underground storage part. It's also a perennial plant, so it lives for more than two years.
Leaves and Stems
The plant has five to nine leaves. They are purplish-green or even a bit bronze in color. Each leaf is shaped like a narrow egg. They have a wide white stripe right in the middle. These leaves are spread out along the stem where the flowers grow. Each leaf is about 50 to 80 millimeters (2 to 3 inches) long. They are also about 15 to 22 millimeters (0.6 to 0.9 inches) wide.
Flowers and Their Parts
The velvet jewel orchid grows between five and fourteen flowers. These flowers are green and white. They are about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.20 to 0.24 inches) long. They are also about 6 to 7 millimeters (0.24 to 0.28 inches) wide. The flowers grow on a stem that is usually a bit hairy. This stem can be 100 to 300 millimeters (4 to 12 inches) tall.
The top part of the flower is called the dorsal sepal. It's shaped like a wide egg. It is about 4.5 millimeters (0.18 inches) long. This sepal joins with the petals to form a hood. This hood covers the central part of the flower, called the column.
The side sepals are green. They are about 5 millimeters (0.20 inches) long. These sepals stick out almost flat and are spread far apart. The petals are a see-through white color. They are about 4.5 millimeters (0.18 inches) long.
The labellum is a special part of the orchid flower. It's about 5 millimeters (0.20 inches) long. It has edges that roll inwards. There's a narrow part in the middle and a deep pouch at its base. In Australia, these orchids usually bloom from June to August. In New Guinea, they can bloom for a longer time.
How the Orchid Got Its Name
The velvet jewel orchid was first officially described in 1873. A scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave it the name Goodyera polygonoides. He found a sample of the plant near Rockingham Bay. He wrote about it in a book called Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.
Later, in 1995, another scientist named Paul Ormerod changed its name. He renamed it Rhomboda polygonoides. The second part of its scientific name, polygonoides, means it looks similar to a plant in the genus Polygonum. The ending -oides comes from Latin and means "likeness" or "similar to".
Where the Orchid Lives
In Australia, the velvet jewel orchid has been found in three places. These are all tropical rainforests in north-east Queensland. You can find them between the Paluma Range and the Daintree River. They grow at heights of 450 to 600 meters (1,480 to 1,970 feet) above sea level.
These orchids grow on the forest floor. They have also been found on top of granite rocks. Sometimes, they grow on flat rocks or on the rotting wood of fallen trees. All the known groups of these orchids in Australia are found inside protected areas.
Protecting the Velvet Jewel Orchid
The velvet jewel orchid is considered a "vulnerable" species. This means it's at risk of becoming endangered. The Australian Government lists it under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Queensland Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 also protects it.
All the places where these orchids are known to grow are in protected areas. This helps keep them safe. However, there are still some dangers to the orchid in Australia. One threat is people illegally collecting them. Some orchid enthusiasts might try to take them from the wild. Another threat comes from feral pigs. These pigs can damage the plants and their habitat.
