Cobungra leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cobungra leek orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Subtribe: | Prasophyllinae |
| Genus: | Prasophyllum |
| Species: |
P. morganii
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| Binomial name | |
| Prasophyllum morganii Nicholls
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The Cobungra leek orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum morganii) was a special type of orchid. It only grew in a small part of Victoria, Australia. This orchid had a single leaf shaped like a tube. It also had many greenish flowers with purple marks. Only about fifteen of these plants were ever found. Sadly, no one has seen this orchid since 1933, so it is now thought to be extinct.
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What the Cobungra Leek Orchid Looked Like
The Cobungra leek orchid was a plant that grew from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It had one tube-shaped leaf that could be up to 160 mm (about 6 inches) long. This leaf was about 4 to 10 mm (0.16 to 0.39 inches) wide.
The orchid's flowers grew on a stem that was 40 to 100 mm (1.6 to 3.9 inches) long. This stem could reach a total height of 100 to 250 mm (3.9 to 9.8 inches). Each plant could have between fifty and eighty flowers. These flowers were greenish with purple markings and had a nice smell.
Like other orchids in its group, its main petal, called the labellum, was at the top instead of the bottom. This labellum was heart-shaped and purplish or pink. It also had a deep purple, V-shaped ridge in its center. The Cobungra leek orchid usually flowered in October and November.
How it Got its Name
The Cobungra leek orchid, Prasophyllum morganii, was first officially described in 1930. A scientist named William Henry Nicholls wrote about it. He published his description in a science magazine called The Victorian Naturalist. The plant he studied was found near a place called Cobungra in Victoria. This is how it got its common name.
Where it Lived
This special orchid was only found in one spot. It grew on private land in an open forest. The trees in this forest were mostly snow gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora). This area was quite high up, more than 1,000 meters (about 3,280 feet) above sea level.
Fewer than fifteen of these plants were ever known to exist. Sadly, no one has seen any Cobungra leek orchids since 1933. This is true even though people have searched the area many times.
Why it is Important to Protect Plants
The Cobungra leek orchid is listed as "Vulnerable" under an Australian law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) Act. This means it was at high risk of becoming extinct. However, in Victoria, it is now listed as "Extinct" under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. This means scientists believe it has completely disappeared from the wild. This sad story shows why it's so important to protect rare plants and their homes.
 | Jewel Prestage |
 | Ella Baker |
 | Fannie Lou Hamer |
