Prasophyllum parviflorum facts for kids

The slender leek orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum parviflorum) is a special type of orchid that only grows in eastern Victoria, Australia. It has a single, long leaf and can grow up to thirty flowers. These flowers are usually greenish-brown or purplish. Scientists are still studying this orchid, and some plants that look similar might actually be a different kind of orchid.

What Does the Slender Leek Orchid Look Like?

The slender 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 deciduous, so it loses its leaves at certain times of the year, and it's a herb, which means it doesn't have a woody stem like a tree.

It has one tube-shaped leaf that is about 200–350 mm (8–10 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide.

The plant grows a flowering stem that is about 60–100 mm (2–4 in) long. This stem can reach a total height of 300–400 mm (10–20 in). Along this stem, ten to thirty flowers grow, spaced out from each other.

The flowers are greenish-brown to purplish. Like other orchids in its group, the 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 ovary (where seeds develop) is oval-shaped and about 3 mm (0.1 in) long.
• The dorsal sepal (a leaf-like part protecting the flower) is shaped like a tapering egg. It's about 5 mm (0.2 in) long and 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide.
• The lateral sepals are curved and shaped like a lance. They are about 5 mm (0.2 in) long and 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide, and they are joined together at their bases.
• The petals are about 4.5 mm (0.2 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) wide, and they curve forward.
• The labellum changes color and is about 4 mm (0.2 in) long and 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. It sharply bends upwards near its middle.
• There's a wide, thick, shiny part called a callus along the center of the labellum, almost reaching its tip.

These orchids usually flower in October and November.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The slender leek orchid was first officially described in 1930 by a scientist named Richard Sanders Rogers. He first called it Prasophyllum hartii var. parviflorum. He wrote about it in a scientific paper called Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia, after finding a sample on Wilsons Promontory.

Then, in 1941, another scientist named William Henry Nicholls decided that this orchid was special enough to be its own species, so he gave it the name Prasophyllum parviflorum.

Where Does This Orchid Live?

Prasophyllum parviflorum grows in grasslands and grassy areas within woodlands. You can find it in eastern Victoria, stretching from French Island all the way to the border of New South Wales.

Some orchids found in the western part of Victoria might actually be a different species called P. suaveolens. Also, very small slender leek orchids might, after more scientific study, turn out to be a separate species too.

Is the Slender Leek Orchid in Danger?

Yes, the slender leek orchid is considered "Vulnerable." This means it's at risk of becoming endangered if its habitat isn't protected. It is listed as "Vulnerable" under a special law in Victoria called the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. This law helps protect plants and animals in Victoria.