Fleurieu leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fleurieu leek orchid |
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The Prasophyllum murfetii, also known as the Fleurieu leek orchid, is a special type of orchid. It only grows in South Australia. This orchid has one long, tube-shaped leaf. It can have up to 35 flowers that are greenish-brown, pink, and white. You can find it growing near swamps on the Fleurieu Peninsula. It looks a lot like another orchid called P. frenchii.
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What Does the Fleurieu Leek Orchid Look Like?
The Fleurieu leek orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It has one dark green, tube-shaped leaf. This leaf can be from 100 to 600 mm (about 4 to 24 inches) long. It is usually 3 to 6 mm (about 0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide.
The orchid grows a tall stem with many flowers. This flowering stem can be 60 to 120 mm (about 2 to 5 inches) long. The whole plant can reach a height of 400 to 600 mm (about 16 to 24 inches).
The flowers are quite pretty and smell sweet. They are greenish-brown with pink or white edges. Each flower is about 10 to 12 mm (about 0.4 to 0.5 inches) long and 6 to 8 mm (about 0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide.
Special Flower Parts
Orchids have unique flower parts. In the Fleurieu leek orchid, the flowers are "inverted." This means the labellum (a special lip-like petal) is above the column (the central part of the flower) instead of below it.
- The dorsal sepal (the top part of the flower) is about 6.5 to 8 mm long.
- The lateral sepals (the side parts) are about 7.5 to 9 mm long. They grow parallel to each other.
- The petals are about 6 to 7 mm long and curve forward.
- The labellum is about 6 mm long. It sharply turns upwards in the middle, almost at a 90-degree angle. The edges of the upturned part are wavy. There is also a raised, grooved part called a callus in the center of the labellum.
These orchids usually bloom in November and December.
How the Fleurieu Leek Orchid Got Its Name
The Prasophyllum murfetii was officially named in the year 2000. It was named by a botanist (plant scientist) named David Jones. He described the plant after a specimen (a sample) was found near Myponga.
The second part of its scientific name, murfetii, honors the person who collected the first sample of this orchid. This first sample is called the type specimen.
Where the Fleurieu Leek Orchid Lives
The Fleurieu leek orchid grows in swampy areas. You can find it around the edges of lakes and ponds. It only grows in two specific places on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia.
Protecting the Fleurieu Leek Orchid
There are not many Fleurieu leek orchids left. Only about 100 to 150 individual plants exist in the wild. Because of this, the species is listed as "Critically Endangered" by the Australian government. This means it is at a very high risk of becoming extinct. The South Australian government also lists it as "Endangered."
Threats to the Orchid
Several things threaten the survival of the Fleurieu leek orchid:
- Clearing land: When natural areas are cleared for buildings or farms, the orchid loses its home.
- Drying swamps: Changes in water flow can cause the swamps where it lives to dry out.
- Forestry and farming: Practices used in growing trees or crops can harm the orchid's habitat.
- Mining: Activities like mining can also destroy its living areas.
- Wrong fire management: Fires that happen too often or at the wrong time can damage the plants.
