Winged ant orchid facts for kids

The Chiloglottis platyptera, also known as the winged ant orchid or Barrington Tops ant orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the New England Tableland area of New South Wales, Australia. This orchid has two wide leaves and a single greenish-brown flower. The flower has a unique part called a labellum which is covered with many small bumps, or glands.

About the Winged Ant Orchid

The winged ant orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times. This orchid has two leaves that are shaped like ovals or oblongs. They are about 40 to 75 mm (1.6 to 3.0 in) long and 14 to 22 mm (0.55 to 0.87 in) wide. These leaves sit on a small stem called a petiole, which is about 3 to 8 mm (0.12 to 0.31 in) long.

What the Flower Looks Like

Each plant usually has one greenish-brown flower. The flower grows on a stem that is about 50 to 100 mm (2.0 to 3.9 in) tall. The flower itself is about 10 to 12 mm (0.39 to 0.47 in) long and 8 to 9 mm (0.31 to 0.35 in) wide.

• Sepals: The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is shaped like a small spatula. It stands upright and is about 13 mm (0.51 in) long. The two side sepals are thin and curve downwards. They are about 7 to 10 mm (0.28 to 0.39 in) long. All three sepals have a tiny, less than 1 mm (0.039 in) long, bumpy tip.
• Petals: The petals are shaped like spearheads, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. They are about 10 mm (0.39 in) long and curve slightly downwards.
• Labellum: The labellum is a special lip-like part of the orchid. It looks a bit like a bricklayer's trowel. It is about 9 to 10 mm (0.35 to 0.39 in) long and 8 mm (0.31 in) wide. Most of its top surface is covered with many small, bumpy glands. These glands can be reddish, yellowish, bright green, or black. One gland near the base looks like bicycle handlebars and is about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long.
• Column: The column is a central part of the flower. It is pale green with purple stripes. It is about 9 mm (0.35 in) long and 6 mm (0.24 in) wide, with wide, wing-like parts.

This orchid usually blooms from September to November.

How it Got its Name

The winged ant orchid, Chiloglottis platyptera, was officially described in 1991 by a botanist named David Jones. He found a sample of the orchid in Barrington Tops National Park.

The second part of its scientific name, platyptera, comes from two ancient Greek words. "Platys" means "broad" or "wide," and "pteron" means "wing" or "feather." This name refers to the wide, brown, wing-like parts found on the column of the orchid's flower.

Where it Lives

The winged ant orchid grows in tall forests, often among grasses. It can also be found on the edges of rainforests. You can find this orchid in areas between Dungog and Yarrowitch. This includes places like the Barrington Tops, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, and Ben Halls Gap National Park.

Protecting the Winged Ant Orchid

The winged ant orchid is considered "vulnerable" by the New South Wales Government. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered if we don't protect it.

Threats to the Orchid

Several things threaten the survival of this special orchid:

• Grazing: Farm animals eating the plants.
• Weed Invasion: Other plants, like scotch broom, growing and taking over the orchid's space.
• Feral Pigs: Wild pigs can damage the habitat.
• Land Clearing: Areas where the orchid grows are sometimes cleared for other uses.

Protecting these areas helps ensure the winged ant orchid can continue to grow and thrive for many years to come.