Western leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western leek orchid |
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The western leek orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum favonium) is a special type of orchid that only grows in Tasmania, Australia. It's quite rare! This plant has a single leaf that looks like a tube and has a reddish bottom. Its flowers are brownish with a dark purple lip, called a labellum. Back in 2000, experts thought there were fewer than 40 of these plants left in the wild, all in a very small area. This makes it a critically endangered species.
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What Does the Western Leek Orchid Look Like?
The western leek orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times.
Its Leaf
Each orchid has one tube-shaped leaf. This leaf can be about 12 to 28 centimeters (5 to 11 inches) long and 2 to 3 millimeters (about 0.1 inch) wide. The bottom part of the leaf is usually reddish.
Its Flowers
This orchid grows between five and fifteen flowers on a thin stem, which is about 3 to 7 centimeters (1 to 3 inches) long. The flowers are brownish and measure about 11 to 13 millimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long and 5 to 6 millimeters (about 0.2 inches) wide. They have a dark purple labellum, which is a special lip-like petal.
Unlike most flowers, the orchid's flowers are upside down! This means the labellum is above the column (the central part of the flower) instead of below it. The top part of the flower, called the sepal, is brownish with darker lines. The side sepals are long and narrow, standing upright. The other petals are also long and thin. The dark purple labellum is about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) long and 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) wide. It bends upwards in the middle and has wavy edges. These orchids usually bloom in October and November.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The western leek orchid was officially named Prasophyllum favonium in 1998 by a botanist named David Jones. The second part of its scientific name, favonium, comes from a Latin word that means "west wind". This name was chosen because the orchid lives in places where cold westerly winds blow often.
Where Does It Live?
The western leek orchid grows among shrubs in dense, low heathland. This type of land is often windy. You can find this orchid in five small areas within the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area in Tasmania.
Why Is It Endangered?
The western leek orchid is a very rare plant and needs our help. It is listed as Endangered under Tasmania's Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. It's also considered Critically Endangered by the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) Act.
Threats to the Orchid
Several things make it hard for this orchid to survive:
- Land clearing: When land is cleared for other uses, the orchid's home is destroyed.
- Animal digging: Some animals dig in the ground, which can harm the plants.
- Fire: Fires that happen at the wrong time or are too strong can damage the orchid's habitat.
- Trampling: Animals walking over the plants can crush them.
Protecting these small areas where the orchid lives is very important to help it survive.
