Yellow spur orchid facts for kids

The Crepidium fontinale, also known as the yellow spur orchid, is a special plant from the orchid family. It grows only in the Northern Territory of Australia. This orchid is an evergreen plant, meaning it stays green all year round. It grows on the ground and has a thick stem, wavy leaves, and many yellowish-green flowers that grow close together on a green stalk.

What the Yellow Spur Orchid Looks Like

The yellow spur orchid is a ground-dwelling plant that stays green all the time. It has upright, thick stems that are about 40–60 mm (2–2 in) tall and 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide.

• Leaves: It usually has four to six dark green leaves. These leaves are shaped like an egg, about 100–150 mm (4–6 in) long and 30–50 mm (1–2 in) wide. Their edges are a bit wavy.
• Flowers: Many yellowish-green flowers grow tightly together on a green flowering stem. This stem can be 100–300 mm (4–10 in) long. Each flower is small, about 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) wide.
• Flower Parts: The top part of the flower (called the dorsal sepal) is about 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and bends downwards. The side parts (lateral sepals) are similar in length but spread out. The petals are thin and about the same size as the sepals. The main "lip" of the flower (called the labellum) is round or heart-shaped, about 6–7.5 mm (6–8 mm) long and 6 mm (0.2 in) wide. Its tip folds backward, and its edges are smooth.
• Flowering Time: You can see these orchids bloom between January and February.

How it Got its Name

Scientists gave the yellow spur orchid its official name, Crepidium fontinale, in 2006. David Jones and Mark Clements were the ones who first described it after finding a sample in the Black Jungle, Northern Territory.

The second part of its scientific name, fontinale, comes from a Latin word meaning "of a spring." This name was chosen because this orchid loves to grow in wet places, especially near springs.

This orchid was once thought to be the same as another species called Malaxis acuminata, which grows in Southeast Asia. However, scientists later discovered that the yellow spur orchid is different, both in its genes and its physical appearance.

Where the Yellow Spur Orchid Lives

The yellow spur orchid likes to grow in damp areas, particularly close to springs in thick rainforests. You can find it in the northern parts of the Northern Territory, including Bathurst Island.

Conservation Efforts

This beautiful orchid is protected in national parks. This helps make sure it can continue to grow and thrive in its natural home.