Tarengo leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tarengo leek orchid |
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| Prasophyllum petilum growing in the Australian Capital Territory | |
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The Tarengo leek orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum petilum) is a special type of orchid. It only grows in eastern Australia. This orchid has one long, green leaf shaped like a tube. It can grow up to eighteen flowers that are pink, purple, or green. These flowers are spread out along a thin stem. It's a small plant that can be hard to find because it often hides in tall grasses.
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What Does the Tarengo Leek Orchid Look Like?
The Tarengo leek orchid is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from a special underground part called a tuber. It has one dark green leaf shaped like a tube, which is about 12 to 25 centimeters (5 to 10 inches) long and 2 to 3 millimeters (about 0.1 inch) wide. The bottom of the leaf is often purplish.
This orchid grows between five and eighteen flowers on a stem that is about 4 to 8 centimeters (1.5 to 3 inches) tall. The flowers are usually pinkish-purple or greenish and are about 5 to 7 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. Sometimes, the flowers even smell nice!
Just like other orchids in its group, the flowers of the Tarengo leek orchid are upside down. This means the special lip-shaped petal, called the labellum, is at the top instead of the bottom. This labellum is about 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.2 inches) long and has slightly wavy edges. It also has a fleshy, yellowish-green part in its center. The Tarengo leek orchid flowers in late October and November.
How Was This Orchid Named?
The Tarengo leek orchid was first officially described in 1991. Two botanists, David Jones and Robert Bates, gave it its scientific name, Prasophyllum petilum. They found a sample of the plant at Hall Cemetery in the Australian Capital Territory.
The second part of its scientific name, petilum, comes from a Latin word that means "slender" or "thin." This name perfectly describes how thin and delicate this orchid looks.
Where Does the Tarengo Leek Orchid Live?
The Tarengo leek orchid grows in grasslands and open woodlands with lots of grass. It often grows in groups, forming small colonies, especially when animals are not grazing (eating the grass) in the area.
This special orchid has been found in several places in Australia. These include Hall, Boorowa, Ilford, Delegate, near Queanbeyan, and Muswellbrook.
Why Is This Orchid Protected?
The Tarengo leek orchid is considered an Endangered species. This means it is at a high risk of disappearing forever if we don't protect it. It is protected by important laws in Australia, including the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act and the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) Act. These laws help protect plants and animals that are in danger.
