Prasophyllum limnetes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marsh leek orchid |
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The Prasophyllum limnetes, also called the marsh leek orchid, is a special type of orchid. It only grows in Tasmania, Australia. This orchid has one long, green leaf shaped like a tube. It can grow up to thirty-five greenish-white flowers. These flowers have a pinkish part called a labellum. Sadly, there are fewer than twenty of these plants left. They only grow in a protected area near Port Sorell.
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What Does the Marsh Leek Orchid Look Like?
The marsh leek orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so its leaves might fall off at certain times.
Its Leaf and Stem
Each orchid has one leaf that looks like a green tube. This leaf can be 200–350 mm (8–10 in) long. Near its purplish base, the leaf is about 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide. The top part of the leaf, which is not attached to the stem, is 100–150 mm (4–6 in) long.
Its Flowers
The marsh leek orchid grows between fifteen and thirty-five flowers. These flowers are greenish-white. They grow closely together on a tall stem called a flowering spike. This spike is 80–120 mm (3–5 in) long. The whole plant can reach a height of 300–500 mm (10–20 in).
Like other leek orchids, its flowers are upside down. This means the labellum (a special lip-like petal) is above the column (the part that holds the pollen). Normally, the labellum is below.
Flower Parts Explained
- The top sepal (a leaf-like part protecting the flower bud) is 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide.
- The two side sepals are 6–7.5 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. They stand upright and are separate from each other.
- The petals are 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide. They point forward.
- The labellum is greenish-white with hints of pink or purple. It becomes narrow at the end and bends sharply upwards in the middle. The edges of the bent part are slightly wavy. There's also a raised area called a callus in its center, going all the way to its tip.
These orchids usually bloom from late November to December.
How the Marsh Leek Orchid Got Its Name
The Prasophyllum limnetes was officially named in 2006. It was described by a botanist named David Jones. He found a sample of the plant in a marshy area near Port Sorell. The description was then published in a scientific book called Australian Orchid Research.
The second part of its scientific name, limnetes, comes from a Latin word. It means "marsh-dweller," which perfectly describes where this orchid lives.
Where Does the Marsh Leek Orchid Live?
The marsh leek orchid grows in a special area called the Rubicon Sanctuary. This sanctuary is near Port Sorell in Tasmania. The orchid likes to grow where marshland meets woodland. This meeting point is called an ecotone.
Why Is This Orchid Endangered?
The Prasophyllum limnetes is in serious trouble. It is listed as "Critically Endangered" by the Australian government. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. It's protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) Act. Tasmania also protects it under its Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.
There are only about 20 of these plants left in the world. They all live in a very small area, just a few square meters.
Main Dangers to the Orchid
The biggest threats to the marsh leek orchid are:
- Land clearing: When land is cleared for buildings or farms, the orchid's home is destroyed.
- Habitat fragmentation: This happens when the orchid's living area is broken into smaller, separate pieces. This makes it harder for the plants to survive and reproduce.
- Inappropriate burning: Fires that are too frequent or too intense can harm or kill the plants and their seeds.
Protecting these few remaining plants is very important to keep the marsh leek orchid from becoming extinct.
