Tawny leek orchid facts for kids

The Tawny leek orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum constrictum) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in South Australia. This orchid has a single, long leaf and up to 35 flowers. These flowers are usually brown or reddish-brown. They also have a pink or purple part called a labellum. The person who named this orchid, Richard Sanders Rogers, once said its flowers looked "prune-coloured."

What Does the Tawny Leek Orchid Look Like?

The Tawny leek orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber. A tuber is like a small, round storage part, similar to a potato. This plant is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years and its soft stem dies back each year. It is also deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves at certain times.

It has one tube-shaped leaf. This leaf can be from 200 to 600 millimeters (about 8 to 24 inches) long. It is about 3 to 5 millimeters (about 0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide.

The flowers grow on a tall stem called a flowering spike. This spike is usually 60 to 90 millimeters (about 2.4 to 3.5 inches) long. The whole plant can reach a height of 200 to 500 millimeters (about 8 to 20 inches). There are usually 10 to 35 flowers on each spike.

The flowers are scented and are brown or reddish-brown. Each flower is about 12 to 15 millimeters (about 0.5 to 0.6 inches) long. They are also 5 to 7 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide.

Like other orchids in its group, the flowers are upside down. This means the labellum (a special lip-like petal) is above the column. The column is a central part of the flower that holds the reproductive organs.

• The dorsal sepal is a part of the flower that protects the petals. It is about 7 millimeters (0.28 inches) long and 3.5 millimeters (0.14 inches) wide.
• The lateral sepals are similar in length but are narrower. They grow parallel to each other.
• The petals are about 6 millimeters (0.24 inches) long and 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) wide. They curve forward.

The labellum is pink or purplish. It is shaped like a spear or an egg. It measures 7 to 9 millimeters (0.28 to 0.35 inches) long and about 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) wide. This part of the flower bends sharply upwards, almost at a 90-degree angle, near its middle. The middle of the labellum is narrower. The part that turns up has wavy edges.

There is a shiny, fleshy part called a callus in the center of the labellum. This callus extends almost to the tip of the labellum. The Tawny leek orchid blooms from October to December.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The Tawny leek orchid, Prasophyllum constrictum, was first officially described in 1909. It was named by Richard Sanders Rogers. He found a sample of the plant near Tailem Bend. His description was published in a science journal called Transactions, proceedings and report, Royal Society of South Australia.

The second part of its scientific name, constrictum, describes the orchid's labellum. It refers to the way the labellum is narrowed or "constricted" in the middle.

Where Does the Tawny Leek Orchid Live?

The Tawny leek orchid grows in shrubby forests. You can mostly find it in the Adelaide Hills and Mount Lofty Ranges areas of South Australia.

Is the Tawny Leek Orchid Protected?

Yes, the Tawny leek orchid is a protected species. It is listed as "Rare" in South Australia. This protection comes from the state's National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. This law helps to protect special plants and animals in the region.