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Woolcock's spider orchid facts for kids

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Woolcock's spider orchid
Conservation status

Endangered (EPBC Act)
Scientific classification
Genus:
Caladenia
Species:
woolcockiorum
Synonyms
  • Arachnorchis woolcockiorum (D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
  • Calonemorchis woolcockiorum (D.L.Jones) Szlach.

The Woolcock's spider orchid (scientific name: Caladenia woolcockiorum) is a unique type of orchid. It is found only in South Australia, meaning it is endemic there.

This special orchid has one long, upright, hairy leaf. Its flowers are usually cream-coloured or greenish-yellow. They are easy to spot because their side parts (called sepals and petals) hang down. These parts often have dark, gland-like tips. The orchid's "lip" (called a labellum) also has a bright red tip.

What Does Woolcock's Spider Orchid Look Like?

Woolcock's spider orchid is a herb that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so its leaves might die back in some seasons.

Leaves and Stems

Each plant has a single, dull green leaf. This leaf is hairy and can be 60 to 150 millimeters (about 2.5 to 6 inches) long. It is about 10 to 13 millimeters (less than half an inch) wide. The leaf often has reddish spots. The flowers grow on a stalk that stands 200 to 350 millimeters (about 8 to 14 inches) tall.

Flowers and Petals

The orchid usually has one or two flowers. Each flower is about 35 millimeters (about 1.5 inches) wide. The sepals and petals of the flower have black, thread-like tips.

  • The dorsal sepal (the top one) stands upright. It is 30 to 40 millimeters long and 3 to 5 millimeters wide.
  • The lateral sepals (the side ones) are similar in size. They point downwards, almost parallel to each other, and have drooping tips.
  • The petals are 25 to 30 millimeters long and about 2 millimeters wide. They also turn downwards with drooping tips.

The Labellum (Lip)

The labellum is the most striking part of the flower. It is 16 to 18 millimeters long and about 9 millimeters wide. It is cream-coloured with a very noticeable rosy-red tip. This tip sticks out before curving downwards. The sides of the labellum have dark red teeth, up to 2 millimeters long. There are also four rows of small, dark red bumps (called calli) along its middle.

Woolcock's spider orchid flowers bloom from August to September.

How Woolcock's Spider Orchid Got Its Name

The Woolcock's spider orchid was first officially described in 1998. David Jones, a botanist, found a sample of this orchid in the Flinders Ranges. He then published its description in a scientific journal called Australian Orchid Research.

The scientific name woolcockiorum was chosen to honor Collin and Dorothy Woolcock. They helped David Jones a lot with his research.

Where Woolcock's Spider Orchid Lives

This rare orchid is only found in the Mount Remarkable National Park in South Australia. It usually grows under shrubs on rocky slopes. You can also find it on ledges within the forest areas of the park.

Protecting Woolcock's Spider Orchid

The Woolcock's spider orchid is considered an "endangered" species. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. Both the Australian Government and the South Australian Government protect it under special laws.

Why It's Endangered

Experts believe that the number of these orchids has dropped by more than 80% in the last 50 to 100 years. In 2006, there were only about 5,400 mature plants left.

Threats to the Orchid

Several things threaten the survival of Woolcock's spider orchid:

  • Weed invasion: Weeds grow around the orchids and take their water and nutrients.
  • Grazing: Rabbits and sheep eat the orchids.
  • Track maintenance: Work done on roads and tracks can disturb their habitat.
  • Altered fire regimes: Changes in how often and how intensely bushfires occur can harm the orchids.
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