Slaty leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Slaty leek orchid |
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Prasophyllum uroglossum Rupp |
The Slaty Leek Orchid (Prasophyllum fuscum) is a special type of orchid. It is also known as the Tawny Leek Orchid. This plant grows only in a small part of New South Wales, Australia.
It has one green leaf shaped like a tube. It can grow up to thirty greenish-brown or reddish-brown flowers. Scientists sometimes discuss if Prasophyllum uroglossum is a different species or the same. Sadly, only about 25 of these plants are known to still exist near Sydney.
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What the Slaty Leek Orchid Looks Like
The Slaty Leek Orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times.
Each plant has one tube-shaped leaf. This leaf can be about 15 to 40 centimetres (6 to 16 inches) long. It is usually 4 to 6 millimetres (0.16 to 0.24 inches) wide at the bottom.
The plant grows a flowering stem that is 30 to 45 centimetres (12 to 18 inches) tall. Along this stem, there are usually 10 to 30 flowers. These flowers smell nice and are greenish-brown to reddish-brown. Each flower is about 9 to 13 millimetres (0.35 to 0.51 inches) long and 5 to 7 millimetres (0.20 to 0.28 inches) wide.
Like other leek orchids, its flowers are upside down. This means the special lip-like part, called the labellum, is at the top instead of the bottom.
- The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is shaped like an egg or spear. It is about 9 millimetres (0.35 inches) long and pointed.
- The two side sepals are thin and spear-shaped. They are 8 to 10 millimetres (0.31 to 0.39 inches) long. They stay separate and parallel to each other.
- The petals are thin and spread out wide. They are about 7 millimetres (0.28 inches) long.
- The labellum (the lip) is 8 to 9 millimetres (0.31 to 0.35 inches) long. It bends upwards in the middle. Its edges are a bit crinkled. There is also a shiny, raised bump called a callus in its center.
These orchids usually bloom between September and December.
Where the Slaty Leek Orchid Lives
The Slaty Leek Orchid is only found in one small area. It grows on the side of a road in the Wilton district. It likes moist, sandy soil. You can find it growing among grasses and sedges (grass-like plants).
Protecting the Slaty Leek Orchid
The Slaty Leek Orchid is a very rare plant. It is listed as "Vulnerable" by the Australian government. This means it is at high risk of becoming endangered. The New South Wales government lists it as "Critically Endangered." This is an even higher risk level, meaning it faces a very high chance of disappearing forever.
In 2007, scientists estimated there were only about 25 individual plants left. They were all found in an area of about 4 square kilometres (1.5 square miles).
The biggest dangers to this orchid are:
- Habitat loss: Its natural home is being destroyed.
- Changes to water quality: Pollution or changes in water flow can harm it.
- Weed invasion: Other plants (weeds) can grow and take over its space.
Related Plants
- Prasophyllum rostratum, another type of orchid that grows only in Tasmania. It is also sometimes called the Slaty Leek Orchid.
