Green leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green leek orchid |
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| Prasophyllum lindleyanum growing near Melbourne | |
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The green leek orchid, scientifically called Prasophyllum lindleyanum, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in south-eastern Australia. This orchid has a single smooth, tube-shaped leaf. It also has up to twenty flowers that smell nice and are greenish. The bottom part of the flower, called the labellum, is greenish or white with a bit of pink.
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What the Green Leek Orchid Looks Like
The green leek orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber. It has one smooth, tube-shaped leaf. This leaf can be up to 300 mm (about 12 inches) long. It is about 3 to 5 mm (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide near its base.
This orchid grows between ten and twenty flowers. They are greenish and have a nice smell. The flowers are spread out along a stem that can be up to 180 mm (about 7 inches) long.
Orchid flowers are unique. In the green leek orchid, the flowers are upside down. This means the labellum (the lip-like part) is above the column (the central part). Usually, it would be below. The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is the lowest part of the flower.
The ovary is about 3 mm (0.1 inches) long. The dorsal sepal is shaped like an egg or a spear. It is 5 to 7 mm (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. The side sepals are similar in size and shape. They stand upright and spread apart. The petals are 4 to 5 mm (0.16 to 0.20 inches) long. They either spread out or curve inwards.
The labellum is white, often with a pink tint. It is 5 to 8 mm (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. It looks a bit crinkled. It has a greenish, raised area in the middle called a callus.
When it Flowers and How it Grows
The green leek orchid flowers from September to January. It grows more flowers after a bushfire happened the summer before. This shows how some plants adapt to their environment.
How it Got its Name
The green leek orchid, Prasophyllum lindleyanum, was first officially described in 1871. A scientist named Heinrich Reichenbach wrote about it. The name lindleyanum was chosen to honor John Lindley. He was another important plant scientist who had passed away a few years earlier.
Where the Green Leek Orchid Lives
The green leek orchid is not very common. It grows in different places like woodlands and heathlands. It can also be found in sub-alpine areas where herbs grow. You can find it in Victoria and Tasmania. It might also grow on the far south coast of New South Wales.
