Prasophyllum niphopedium facts for kids

The marsh leek orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum niphopedium) is a special type of orchid. It only grows in a small part of Victoria, Australia. This plant has one long, tube-shaped leaf. It also grows up to twenty greenish flowers with red marks. This rare orchid is found in only five places on grassy mountain plains. There are fewer than 500 of these plants in total.

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 also loses its leaves each year. It has one tube-shaped leaf that can be up to 300 mm (10 in) long and 5 mm (0.2 in) wide.

Flowers and Stems

This orchid has between ten and twenty flowers on a stem. The stem is 70–120 mm (3–5 in) long and can reach a height of 200–350 mm (8–10 in). The flowers have a light smell. They are greenish with pink or red marks.

Like other orchids in its group, the flowers are upside down. This means the labellum (a special lip petal) is above the column (the central part of the flower). The part of the flower that holds the seeds is oval-shaped and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long.

Petals and Sepals

The top sepal (a leaf-like part that protects the flower) is egg-shaped and 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. The side sepals are similar in length. They are long and narrow, and mostly separate from each other. The petals are also long and narrow, 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, and curve forward.

The labellum is shaped like a small shovel and is pink. It is 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long. It sharply bends upwards in the middle. There is a small, wrinkled, brown or green bump called a callus in the center of the labellum. This orchid flowers from December to February.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The marsh leek orchid was first officially described in the year 2000. It was named by a botanist named David Jones. He wrote about it in a magazine called The Orchadian. The first plant used to describe the species was found in the Cobberas Range.

Where Does the Marsh Leek Orchid Live?

This special orchid grows on snow plains. It likes grassy areas in the mountains, often near small streams. It is found in the Cobberas Range and the Benambra area of Victoria. The number of these plants changes each year, but there are usually between 200 and 500 plants across five different groups.

Why Is It Endangered?

The marsh leek orchid is considered "Endangered" in Victoria. This means it is at high risk of disappearing. It is listed under a law called the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. However, it is not listed under a national Australian law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The main dangers to this orchid are:

• Soil disturbance: When the ground is moved or damaged.
• Grazing: Wild horses and cattle eating the plants.
• Fires: Fires that happen at the wrong time or are too strong.