Graceful leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Graceful leek orchid |
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Prasophyllum chasmogamum R.J.Bates & D.L.Jones |
The graceful leek orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum pyriforme) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in eastern Australia. This orchid has a single, long leaf and can have up to fifty greenish flowers. Its unique "lip" part, called a labellum, is usually pink or white. Unlike most orchids, its labellum points upwards.
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What Does It Look Like?
The graceful 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 some parts might die back in certain seasons.
It has one smooth, dark green leaf that looks like a tube. This leaf can be about 100–250 mm (3.9–9.8 in) (4 to 10 inches) long. It is about 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide near its reddish base.
Flowers of the Graceful Leek Orchid
Between thirty and fifty greenish or light purple flowers grow on a stem. This stem is about 100–150 mm (3.9–5.9 in) (4 to 6 inches) long. The part of the flower that holds the seeds, called the ovary, is 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long.
The petals of the flower are 7–9 mm (0.28–0.35 in) (0.28 to 0.35 inches) long. The two side sepals (leaf-like parts protecting the flower) are 8–11 mm (0.31–0.43 in) (0.31 to 0.43 inches) long. They stand upright and are joined together for most of their length.
The labellum (the orchid's lip) is 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) (0.24 to 0.31 inches) long. It curves upwards, almost touching the side sepals. This labellum is usually pink or white and has wavy edges. A greenish, wrinkled area called a callus is in the center of the labellum. It reaches almost to the tip. These orchids usually bloom in November and December.
How It Was Named
The Discovery of Prasophyllum pyriforme
The graceful leek orchid, Prasophyllum pyriforme, was first officially described in 1933. A botanist named Edith Coleman wrote about it. Her description was published in a science magazine called The Victorian Naturalist. The plant she described was found near Doncaster, a place in Australia.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of its scientific name, pyriforme, tells us something about the orchid. It comes from two Latin words. Pyrum means "pear," and forme means "shape." So, pyriforme means "pear-shaped." This name likely refers to a part of the plant that looks like a pear.
Where It Grows
Habitat of the Graceful Leek Orchid
The graceful leek orchid likes to grow in woodlands and open forests. It grows in southern and eastern Victoria. You can also find it on the south coast of New South Wales. Interestingly, these orchids often flower much more after a bushfire.
