Tan leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tan leek orchid |
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The tan leek orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum erythrocommum) is a special type of orchid that grows only in Victoria, Australia. It has a single green leaf shaped like a tube. It also has between ten and thirty small flowers that are greenish-brown to dark brown. This orchid is very rare. It is only found in one small area north of Melbourne.
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About the Tan Leek Orchid
The tan leek orchid, Prasophyllum erythrocommum, is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It lives for many years and loses its leaves in some seasons. Each plant grows by itself.
It has one leaf that looks like a tube. This leaf can be up to 100 mm (about 4 inches) long and 3-4 mm (about 0.1-0.2 inches) wide at its base.
The plant grows a thin stem, 50-100 mm (about 2-4 inches) long. Along this stem, ten to thirty flowers are loosely spaced. These flowers have a scent and are greenish-brown to dark brown.
Like other orchids in its group, the flowers of the tan leek orchid are upside down. This means the labellum (a special lip-like petal) is above the column (the part that holds the pollen) instead of below it.
The top sepal (a leaf-like part of the flower) is egg-shaped or spear-shaped. It is 4.5-6 mm (about 0.18-0.24 inches) long and points downwards. The two side sepals are long and narrow, also 4.5-6 mm long. They stay parallel to each other. The petals are spear-shaped or oblong, and 4-5.5 mm (about 0.16-0.22 inches) long.
The labellum is spear-shaped to egg-shaped and is greenish to pinkish. It is shaped like a dish and is 4-5 mm (about 0.16-0.20 inches) long. It points upwards, but not as sharply as in most similar orchids. In the middle of the labellum, there is a smooth, fleshy, dull greenish bump called a callus. This orchid flowers from October to November.
How it Got its Name
The tan leek orchid, Prasophyllum erythrocommum, was officially described in 2006. This was done by two botanists, David Jones and Dean Rouse. They wrote about it in a book called Australian Orchid Research. The plant they studied was found near the Yan Yean Reservoir.
The second part of its scientific name, erythrocommum, comes from two Ancient Greek words. Erythros means "red," and kommi means "gum" or "resin." This name hints at the red gum trees that grow where this orchid is found.
Where Does it Live?
The tan leek orchid is only known from the place where it was first discovered. It grows in an open, grassy area.
Protecting This Rare Orchid
The Prasophyllum erythrocommum is listed as Endangered in Victoria. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. It is protected under a law called the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. The area where this orchid lives has had a lot of its natural land cleared away for other uses. This makes it even harder for this rare plant to survive.
Related pages
- Prasophyllum helophilum, a species of orchid endemic to New South Wales.
