Subalpine leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Subalpine leek orchid |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Prasophyllum sphacelatum growing in Namadgi National Park | |
| Scientific classification |
The Prasophyllum sphacelatum, also known as the subalpine leek orchid, is a special type of orchid. It is found only in south-eastern Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
This orchid has a single, tube-shaped leaf that is dull green. Its flowers are green to brownish and can be strongly scented. There is also a part of the flower called the labellum, which is green to pinkish. You can find this orchid growing in cool, high places called subalpine areas. These areas are in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.
What Does It Look Like?
The subalpine leek orchid is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, which means some parts of it die back each year. It has an underground tuber, which is like a storage organ.
The plant has one dull green leaf that looks like a tube. This leaf can be about 28 to 38 centimetres (11 to 15 inches) long. It is about 2 to 4 millimetres (0.08 to 0.16 inches) wide. The bottom part of the leaf is white or reddish.
The Flowers
This orchid usually has between six and eighteen flowers. These flowers grow along a tall stem, which is about 8 to 14 centimetres (3 to 5.5 inches) long. The flowers are green to reddish-brown and are about 14 to 18 millimetres (0.55 to 0.71 inches) long. They have a strong smell.
Like other orchids in its group, the flowers of the subalpine leek orchid are upside down. This means the labellum (a special lip-like petal) is above the column (the central part of the flower) instead of below it.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, is shaped like an egg or a spear. It is about 6 to 8 millimetres (0.24 to 0.31 inches) long. The side sepals are about 7 to 8 millimetres (0.28 to 0.31 inches) long. The petals are thin and narrow, about 7 millimetres (0.28 inches) long.
The labellum is green or pinkish and is also egg-shaped or spear-shaped. It is about 6 to 8 millimetres (0.24 to 0.31 inches) long. This part of the flower bends sharply upwards and has wavy edges. The subalpine leek orchid flowers from December to February.
How It Got Its Name
The subalpine leek orchid was officially named Prasophyllum sphacelatum in 1996. It was named by a botanist named David Jones. He found the first plant near Tantangara Dam in the Kosciuszko National Park. The description of the plant was published in a science journal called Muelleria.
The second part of its scientific name, sphacelatum, comes from a Greek word, sphakelos. This word means "necrosis" or "mortification." It describes how the tip of the leaf looks withered when the flower is fully open.
Where Does It Grow?
The subalpine leek orchid likes to grow in open areas in subalpine regions. These areas often have grassy fields or places with many small plants. Sometimes, it grows among grasses and shrubs in forests where snow gum trees (Eucalyptus pauciflora) grow.
You can find this orchid in the subalpine parts of New South Wales, south of the Brindabella Range. It also grows in north-eastern Victoria and in Tasmania. In Tasmania, it often grows in flat, wet areas called buttongrass plains, where a plant called buttongrass is common.
