Prasophyllum plumiforme facts for kids

The Prasophyllum plumiforme, also known as the dainty leek orchid, is a special type of orchid. It is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This small orchid has a single smooth leaf shaped like a tube. It can grow up to fifty or more tiny cream-coloured or greenish-yellow flowers on a tall stem.

What Does the Dainty Leek Orchid Look Like?

The dainty leek orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves at certain times. It has one smooth, tube-shaped leaf that is about 20 to 35 centimeters (8 to 14 inches) long and 2 to 3 millimeters (about 0.1 inches) wide.

This orchid grows a flowering stem that is 8 to 15 centimeters (3 to 6 inches) long. The whole plant can reach a height of 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 24 inches). It has between fifteen and fifty or more flowers that are close together on the stem. The flowers are cream-coloured to greenish-yellow and are about 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) long and wide.

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 top sepal (a leaf-like part that protects the flower) is 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.20 inches) long and about 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) wide. The two side sepals are 4 to 5 millimeters long and about 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) wide. They are separate from each other.

The other petals are about the same size as the side sepals and point forwards. The labellum is about 4 millimeters long and 3.5 millimeters (0.14 inches) wide. It bends upwards near its middle. The edges of the labellum are crinkled, and there is a green callus (a raised, thickened part) along its center. These orchids usually flower from September to November. The dainty leek orchid looks a bit like P. ovale but is taller and has smaller flowers that are not as crowded.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The dainty leek orchid was first officially described in 1882 by a scientist named Robert FitzGerald. He published his description in a magazine called The Gardeners' Chronicle.

The second part of its scientific name, plumiforme, comes from two Latin words. Pluma means "soft feather" or "down." The ending -forme means "shape." So, plumiforme means "feather-shaped," which describes the feather-like labellum of the flower.

Where Does It Live?

The dainty leek orchid is common and can be found in many places. It grows in woodlands and shrublands (areas with bushes and small trees). You can find it between Kalbarri and Israelite Bay in Western Australia.

Protecting the Orchid

The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the dainty leek orchid. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means that there are enough of these orchids, and they are not currently in danger of disappearing.