Bago leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bago leek orchid |
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The Prasophyllum bagoense, also known as the Bago leek orchid, is a special type of orchid. It is found only in a small part of southern New South Wales, Australia. This orchid has a single green leaf that looks like a tube. It also grows up to thirty sweet-smelling, pale green flowers. You can find it growing in grassy areas high up in the mountains near Tumbarumba.
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What Does the Bago Leek Orchid Look Like?
The Bago leek orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It also has an underground tuber, which is like a storage root.
- Leaf: It has one tube-shaped leaf. This leaf is about 250–350 mm (9.8–14 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The bottom part of the leaf is purplish-red.
- Flowers: The orchid grows a tall stem, about 250–400 mm (10–20 in) high. On this stem, you can find between fifteen and thirty flowers. These flowers are pale green and smell nice. Each flower is about 8–11 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide.
- Flower Parts: Like other leek orchids, its flowers are upside down. This means the labellum (a special lip-like petal) is at the top. The top sepal (a leaf-like part) is narrow and points downwards. The side sepals are long and thin. The petals are also thin and spread out wide. The labellum is shaped like an egg and turns upwards. Its tip sticks out between the side sepals, and its edge is wavy.
The Bago leek orchid usually flowers in December and January. It often blooms after a bushfire happened the summer before.
How Did the Bago Leek Orchid Get Its Name?
The Bago leek orchid was officially named in the year 2000. It was named by a botanist (a plant scientist) named David Jones. He found a sample of the orchid in the Bago State Forest. The name bagoense comes from the Bago State Forest where it was first found.
Where Does the Bago Leek Orchid Live?
This special orchid is only found in a very small area. It lives in a treeless, grassy plain in the Bago State Forest. This area is about 1 km2 (0.4 sq mi) in size. It grows among grasses and other small plants. The area is high up, about 1,200 m (4,000 ft) above sea level. This kind of high-altitude grassland is called a sub-alpine plain.
Why Is This Orchid in Danger?
The Bago leek orchid is considered "Critically Endangered." This means it is very close to disappearing forever. It is protected by laws in Australia and New South Wales.
Here are some of the main things that threaten this orchid:
- Water changes: Changes in how water drains in its habitat can harm it.
- Grazing: Animals like cows or sheep eating the plants can damage them.
- Feral animals: Wild pigs and horses can disturb the ground and plants.
- Vehicle and horse riding: Four-wheel drives, motorbikes, and horses can damage its habitat.
- Weeds: Invasive plants (weeds) can grow and take over the orchid's space.
