Mount Remarkable leek orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Remarkable leek orchid |
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The Prasophyllum validum, also called the Mount Remarkable leek orchid, is a unique type of orchid. It grows only in South Australia. This plant has a single leaf shaped like a tube. It also has up to forty-five green or yellowish-green flowers. Each flower has a white part called a labellum.
There is a similar leek orchid found in Victoria. This orchid was once thought to be the same species. But now, scientists know it is a different, unnamed species. They call it Prasophyllum sp. aff. validum for now.
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What the Mount Remarkable Leek Orchid Looks Like
The Mount Remarkable 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 it sheds its leaves at certain times. This plant is a herb with a tuber underground. A tuber is a swollen part of the stem that stores food.
Each plant has one leaf that looks like a tube. This leaf can be about 300–600 mm (10–20 in) long and 4–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The flowers grow on a tall stalk called a flowering spike. This spike can be 100–300 mm (4–10 in) long. The whole plant can reach a height of 200–400 mm (8–20 in).
There are usually between twenty and forty-five flowers on each spike. The flowers are green to yellowish-green and smell nice. They are about 15 mm (0.6 in) wide. Like other orchids in its group, these flowers are upside down. This means the labellum (a special petal) is above the column (the central part) instead of below it.
The top petal, called the dorsal sepal, is shaped like a spear. It is 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. The side petals, called lateral sepals, are 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long. They are about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and are joined together except at their tips. The other petals are 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide.
The labellum is white and measures 8–9.5 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and about 5 mm (0.2 in) wide. It bends sharply upwards in the middle. The upturned part has a sharp point and wavy edges. In the center of the labellum, there is a thick, shiny green part called a callus. This callus extends almost to the tip of the labellum. These orchids usually bloom in November and December.
A similar orchid in Victoria was once considered the same species. However, it is now known to be a different, unnamed species. It is temporarily called Prasophyllum sp. aff. validum.
How the Mount Remarkable Leek Orchid Got Its Name
The scientific name Prasophyllum validum was first officially described in 1927. This was done by a scientist named Richard Sanders Rogers. His description was published in a journal called Transactions, proceedings and report, Royal Society of South Australia.
The second part of the name, validum, is a Latin word. It means "strong" or "sound." This is how the Mount Remarkable leek orchid got its scientific name.
Where the Mount Remarkable Leek Orchid Lives
The Mount Remarkable leek orchid grows in woodland areas. It prefers slopes and gullies within the Mount Remarkable National Park. In the past, this orchid used to grow in more places. However, its distribution has become smaller over time.
Protecting the Mount Remarkable Leek Orchid
The Mount Remarkable leek orchid is listed as "Vulnerable." This means it is at risk of becoming extinct. This listing includes the similar orchid, Prasophyllum sp. aff. validum. It is protected under two important laws:
- The Commonwealth Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) Act.
- South Australia's National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.
In 2008, experts estimated there were about 1500 Mount Remarkable leek orchids left in South Australia. This species used to be found in other areas. However, the last time any were seen in those other places was in 1994.
The main dangers to these orchids include:
- Competition from weeds, which take up space and resources.
- Animals like kangaroos, rabbits, and livestock eating the plants.
- Damage from vehicles and machines used near roadsides.
Protecting these areas and managing these threats helps the Mount Remarkable leek orchid survive.
