Knocklofty leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Knocklofty leek orchid |
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The Knocklofty leek orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum perangustum) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in Tasmania, Australia. This rare plant has a single dark green leaf shaped like a tube. It also has up to fifteen greenish or light brown flowers. Each flower has a white part called a labellum. In 1993, only six of these orchids were found, making them very rare.
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What the Knocklofty Leek Orchid Looks Like
The Knocklofty leek orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber. It is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years. It has one dark green leaf shaped like a tube. This leaf can be about 18 to 25 centimetres (7 to 10 inches) long. The base of the leaf is often reddish.
The plant produces a flowering stem that is about 6 to 10 centimetres (2 to 4 inches) tall. Along this stem, there are usually seven to fifteen flowers. These flowers are greenish or light brown. Each flower is about 12 to 14 millimetres (0.5 inches) long.
Like other leek orchids, its flowers are upside down. This means the labellum (a special lip-like petal) is above the column (the central part of the flower). The top sepal is greenish-brown with red-brown marks. The side sepals are narrow and separate from each other.
The petals are thin and greenish, often with a red-brown line. The labellum itself is white and shaped like an egg. It is about 6 to 7 millimetres (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. This labellum bends sharply upwards in the middle. Its edges are slightly wavy. There is also a thick, green, fleshy part called a callus in the center of the labellum. These orchids usually bloom in November and December.
How the Knocklofty Leek Orchid Got Its Name
The Knocklofty leek orchid was first officially described in 1998. It was named by a botanist named David Jones. He found a sample of the plant near a place called Knocklofty in Tasmania.
The scientific name, Prasophyllum perangustum, has a special meaning. The word perangustum comes from Latin. Angustum means "narrow," and the part per- means "very." So, perangustum means "very narrow." This name refers to the very narrow tip and callus of the orchid's labellum.
Where the Knocklofty Leek Orchid Lives
The Knocklofty leek orchid is only known to grow in one specific area. This area is near Knocklofty in Tasmania. It prefers to grow on steep slopes and ridges. You can find it in open forests, often among grasses and shrubs.
Why the Knocklofty Leek Orchid is Endangered
The Knocklofty leek orchid is a very rare plant. It was last seen in 1993, when only six plants were recorded. Because it is so rare, it is listed as "Endangered" under Tasmania's Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. It is also listed as "Critically Endangered" by the Australian Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) Act.
The main dangers to this orchid are:
- Weed invasion: Weeds can grow and take over the areas where the orchids live.
- Inappropriate fire regimes: Fires that happen too often or not often enough can harm the orchid's habitat.
- Track maintenance: Work done on nearby tracks or roads can disturb the soil and plants.
