Gorae leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gorae leek orchid |
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The Gorae leek orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum brevilabre) is a very special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-western part of Victoria, Australia. This orchid has a single green, tube-shaped leaf and can have up to forty greenish-brown flowers with reddish marks. It's super rare now, found in only two small spots. It used to grow near Gorae West and Portland, but it's not there anymore.
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What the Gorae Leek Orchid Looks Like
The Gorae leek orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It has one long, tube-shaped leaf that can be up to 450 mm (about 18 inches) long. This leaf is about 4 to 10 mm (0.16 to 0.39 inches) wide at its base.
This orchid grows between ten and forty flowers on a tall stem. The stem can be 80 to 150 mm (about 3 to 6 inches) long. The flowers are about 10 mm (0.39 inches) wide. They are greenish-brown and have reddish marks. They also have a nice smell.
Like other orchids in its group, the flowers of the Gorae leek orchid are upside down. This means the labellum (a special petal) is at the top instead of the bottom. The top petal, called the dorsal sepal, is egg-shaped and up to 7 mm (0.28 inches) long. The side petals, called lateral sepals, are lance-shaped and 6 to 10 mm (0.24 to 0.39 inches) long. The other petals are thin and 6 to 9 mm (0.24 to 0.35 inches) long.
The labellum is white to pinkish and shaped like an egg. It is also 6 to 9 mm (0.24 to 0.35 inches) long. It curves upwards in the middle, and its edges are wavy. These orchids usually flower in December and January.
How the Gorae Leek Orchid Got its Name
The Gorae leek orchid was first officially described in 1942. A scientist named William Henry Nicholls gave it its formal scientific name, Prasophyllum diversiflorum. He wrote about it in a science magazine called The Victorian Naturalist.
Nicholls found a sample of the orchid near Gorae West. He noticed that this orchid was very different in its flower shapes. He even said it was "probably the most variable" orchid he had ever seen!
Where the Gorae Leek Orchid Lives
The Gorae leek orchid is found only in south-western Victoria, Australia. It likes to grow in areas with grass and sedges (grass-like plants). These areas are often flooded with water during the winter months.
Today, this orchid is known from only two small groups of plants. These two groups are about 90 km (56 miles) apart.
Why the Gorae Leek Orchid is Endangered
The Gorae leek orchid is a very rare plant. It is listed as Threatened under a law in Victoria called the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. It is also listed as Endangered under a national law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) Act. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
The main things that threaten this special orchid are:
- Weeds: Other plants that grow quickly and take over its habitat.
- Grazing and trampling: Animals eating or stepping on the plants.
- Vehicle movement: Cars or trucks driving where the orchids grow.
- Roadside maintenance: Work done on roadsides that can harm the plants.
