Highland leek orchid facts for kids
The highland leek orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum mimulum) is a special type of orchid that you can only find in Tasmania, Australia. It's known for its unique look, with a single tube-shaped green leaf and pretty greenish-brown or purplish flowers. These flowers have purple and white petals, and a white part called a labellum. This orchid loves to live in the cooler, higher areas of Tasmania.
Quick facts for kids Highland leek orchid |
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What Does the Highland Leek Orchid Look Like?
The highland 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 a deciduous herb, which means its leaves fall off at certain times of the year.
Each orchid has one tube-shaped leaf. This leaf is usually about 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) long. It is also about 3 to 5 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide.
The plant produces a flowering stem that grows to a height of 20 to 35 centimeters (8 to 14 inches). Along this stem, there are usually three to ten flowers. These flowers are spaced out nicely and are greenish-brown to purplish in color.
Each flower is about 9 to 13 millimeters (0.35 to 0.5 inches) wide. Like other leek orchids, their flowers 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 that protects the flower bud) is 5 to 8 millimeters long. The two side sepals are also 5 to 8 millimeters long. The petals are purple with white edges. They are about 5.5 to 10 millimeters long.
The labellum is white and measures about 5.5 to 8.5 millimeters long. It has a yellowish-green callus (a raised, fleshy part) in its center. This labellum bends sharply upwards, more than 90 degrees, near its middle. You can see these beautiful flowers blooming from January to March.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The scientific name for this orchid, Prasophyllum mimulum, was officially given in 2004. It was described by a botanist named David Jones. He found it near Lake Baillie in the Central Plateau Conservation Area of Tasmania.
The second part of its name, mimulum, comes from a Latin word. This word means "imitating" or "mimicking." This is because the highland leek orchid looks very similar to another orchid species called P. alpestre.
Where Does It Live?
The highland leek orchid grows in special places in Tasmania. It likes to live in subalpine areas. These are cool, high-altitude regions. You can find it growing in open areas like grasslands and moorlands.
