Elfin leek orchid facts for kids

The elfin leek orchid (its scientific name is Prasophyllum stygium) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in Victoria, Australia. This orchid has a single leaf shaped like a tube. It also has up to twenty greenish-brown flowers. Each flower has a white part called a labellum.

This orchid was only recently identified as a unique species. Before, people thought it was the same as P. fitzgeraldii. However, scientists noticed its greenish-brown flowers and white labellum were different. The elfin leek orchid also has a narrower brown callus. This special orchid is very rare. Only about thirty plants are known to exist in one small area.

What the Elfin Leek Orchid Looks Like

The elfin leek orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times.

Each plant has one shiny, pale green leaf. This leaf is shaped like a tube. It can be about 15 to 20 centimeters (6 to 8 inches) long. The bottom of the leaf, near the ground, is a maroon color.

Its Unique Flowers

The elfin leek orchid grows a flowering stem that is about 5 to 8 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) long. This stem can reach a total height of 18 to 26 centimeters (7 to 10 inches). Along this stem, there are usually 8 to 20 greenish-brown flowers.

Each flower is about 9 to 12 millimeters (0.35 to 0.47 inches) long. They are also about 6 to 8 millimeters (0.24 to 0.31 inches) wide. Like other orchids in its group, the flowers are upside down. This means the labellum (a special petal) is at the top instead of the bottom.

The dorsal sepal (the top part of the flower) is shaped like a spear or an egg. It is about 5 to 6 millimeters long. The lateral sepals (the side parts) are also egg-shaped or spear-shaped. They are about 5 to 7 millimeters long and grow separately.

The petals are brownish-green with white edges. They are thin and oblong, about 5 to 6 millimeters long. The labellum is white and shaped like a spear or an egg. It is about 4 to 5 millimeters long. This labellum bends sharply upwards at a 90-degree angle in the middle. It reaches up to touch the lateral sepals. The edges of the upturned part are wavy and have tiny hair-like bumps called papillae.

In the center of the labellum, there is a raised, oblong, coffee-colored part called a callus. This callus extends almost to the tip of the labellum. The elfin leek orchid flowers in late October or early November. Its beautiful flowers only last for a few days.

How it Got its Name

The scientific name for the elfin leek orchid is Prasophyllum stygium. Scientists David Jones and Dean Rouse first officially described this plant in 2017. They published their description in a magazine called Australian Orchid Review.

The name stygium comes from a Latin word. It means "stygian." This refers to the mythological river Styx. The river Styx was believed to be in the underworld. The orchid was named this because it was found in an old mining area. In this area, gold was dug out from old river beds. This made the place seem a bit like the "underworld" or the river Styx.

Where the Elfin Leek Orchid Lives

The elfin leek orchid is only found in one place. It grows in a forest area where it was first discovered. There are only about thirty plants known in this single location. This makes it a very rare and special orchid.