Wheatbelt spider orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wheatbelt spider orchid |
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Caladenia × cala growing near Jerramungup | |
Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Caladenia
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Species: |
× cala
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Synonyms | |
Arachnorchis × cala (Hopper & A.P.Br.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
The wheatbelt spider orchid (scientific name: Caladenia × cala) is a special type of plant. It belongs to the orchid family and grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic there, found nowhere else naturally!
This orchid has a single fuzzy leaf. Its flowers are usually red and white, or sometimes red and pale green. The wheatbelt spider orchid is a natural hybrid. This means it's a mix of two other orchid species: C. falcata and C. longicauda. You can find it growing between the towns of Wongan Hills and Ravensthorpe.
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What Does the Wheatbelt Spider Orchid Look Like?
The wheatbelt spider orchid is a plant that grows from an underground part called a tuber. It's a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so some parts die back each year, but the tuber stays alive underground.
Each plant has one hairy leaf. This leaf is about 18 to 20 centimeters (7 to 8 inches) long and 9 to 15 millimeters (0.35 to 0.59 inches) wide. The plant usually has one or two flowers. These flowers are quite big, about 6 to 8 centimeters (2.4 to 3.1 inches) wide. They grow on a tall stem that can be 20 to 40 centimeters (7.9 to 15.7 inches) high.
The flowers have interesting parts. The side parts, called sepals, often curve upwards. The main lip of the flower, called the labellum, is white with a red tip. It has a long, fancy fringe along its sides. There are also four or more rows of small bumps, called calli, along the middle of the labellum. You can see these beautiful orchids flowering in September and October.
How Was This Orchid Named?
The wheatbelt spider orchid was officially described in 2001. Two scientists, Stephen Hopper and Andrew Brown, first studied and named it. They found a sample of this orchid near a place called Bullaring.
They published their description in a science journal called Nuytsia. The second part of its scientific name, cala, comes from an Ancient Greek word. The word kalos means "beautiful." This name was chosen because of how lovely the flowers of this orchid are.
Where Does the Wheatbelt Spider Orchid Grow?
You can find the wheatbelt spider orchid in places where its two parent species grow together. Sometimes, you'll see many of these orchids growing in a group. These groups are often made up of plants that are genetically identical. This orchid is quite common in its habitat.
It grows between Wongan Hills and Ravensthorpe. This area covers several different natural regions in Western Australia. These regions include the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, and Mallee areas.
Is the Wheatbelt Spider Orchid Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants and animals. They have classified Caladenia × cala as "not threatened." This is good news, as it means the orchid is not currently in danger of disappearing.