York sun orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids York sun orchid |
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| Thelymitra yorkensis in Wandoo National Park | |
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Thelymitra
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| Species: |
yorkensis
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The York sun orchid (scientific name: Thelymitra yorkensis) is a special type of orchid. It is also known as the bronze sun orchid. This plant grows only in a small part of Western Australia, in the south-west region. It has one flat, tough leaf that stands upright. Its flowers are orange with reddish-brown edges and smell like cinnamon. They grow close together, with up to twelve flowers on one stem. The center part of the flower, called the column, has wide, orange, fringed edges.
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What Does the York Sun Orchid Look Like?
The York sun orchid is a tuberous plant. This means it grows from a special underground stem called a tuber and lives for more than two years. It has one leaf that is flat, tough, and shaped like a spear or an egg. This leaf is about 5 to 14 centimeters (2 to 5.5 inches) long and 2 to 4 centimeters (0.8 to 1.6 inches) wide.
The plant grows a flowering stem that is about 20 to 35 centimeters (8 to 14 inches) tall. On this stem, you can find between two and twelve flowers. These flowers are orange with reddish-brown edges and smell like cinnamon. Each flower is about 3 to 4 centimeters (1.2 to 1.6 inches) wide.
The outer parts of the flower, called the sepals and petals, are about 1.2 to 2 centimeters (0.5 to 0.8 inches) long. They are about 0.5 to 0.7 centimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. The lowest petal, called the labellum, is a bit narrower than the others.
The center part of the flower is called the column. It is yellowish at the bottom and orange at the top. It is about 0.6 to 0.7 centimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long and 0.3 to 0.4 centimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. The column has wide, spreading parts that look like wings with jagged edges. The top part of the anther (which holds pollen) has many short hairs on its back. It also has a club-shaped piece on its top.
These orchids rely on insects to help them reproduce. Their flowers open up on sunny days. You can usually see them flowering in November and December.
How the York Sun Orchid Got Its Name
The York sun orchid was officially described in 2006. A scientist named Jeff Jeanes first wrote about it. He found a sample of the plant near the town of York. His description was published in a scientific journal called Muelleria. The second part of its scientific name, yorkensis, means "from York." This name refers to the town where all known groups of these orchids grow.
Where Does It Live?
The York sun orchid grows near the town of York in Western Australia. It likes to grow among certain types of trees. These include the wandoo tree (Eucalyptus wandoo) and the smooth-barked wandoo tree (Eucalyptus accedens). This area is part of the Jarrah Forest region, which is a special type of natural area.
Is the York Sun Orchid Safe?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants like the York sun orchid. They have classified it as "Priority Three". This means that scientists do not know much about it, and it is found in only a few places. However, it is not currently in immediate danger of disappearing.
