Prasophyllum wilkinsoniorum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prasophyllum wilkinsoniorum |
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| Prasophyllum wilkinsoniorum growing near Bombala | |
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Prasophyllum wilkinsoniorum is a special type of orchid that only grows in New South Wales, Australia. This means it is endemic to that area. It has one bright green, tube-shaped leaf. This orchid can grow up to forty-five flowers. These flowers are usually dark greenish-brown or brownish-red and have a nice smell. Each flower has a special lip-like part called a labellum, which is green or pinkish. You can find this orchid growing in grassy areas in a small part of the Southern Tablelands.
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What Does This Orchid Look Like?
Prasophyllum wilkinsoniorum is a plant that lives for many years. It is a perennial plant, meaning it comes back each year. It is also deciduous, so some parts might die back in certain seasons. This plant grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root.
Leaves and Flowers
It has one bright green leaf that looks like a tube. This leaf can grow to be about 300–400 mm (10–20 in) long. The bottom part of the leaf is usually white or reddish.
The orchid produces a tall stem, called a flowering spike, which can be up to 450 mm (20 in) high. Along this spike, you can find between fifteen and forty-five flowers. These flowers are dark greenish-brown to brownish-red and have a pleasant scent.
Flower Parts
Like other orchids in its group, the flowers of Prasophyllum wilkinsoniorum are upside down. This means the labellum (the special lip part) is above the column (the central part of the flower) instead of below it.
- The top sepal (a leaf-like part that protects the flower bud) is shaped like an egg or a spear. It is about 8–11 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. This sepal usually points downwards.
- The two side sepals are long and narrow, about 8–11 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide.
- The petals are also long and narrow, measuring about 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide.
- The labellum is green to pinkish and has a wide egg or spear shape. It is about 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 5 mm (0.2 in) wide. This part turns sharply upwards and has wavy edges.
- In the middle of the labellum, there is a thick, fleshy bump called a callus. This callus is green or brown.
This orchid usually blooms, or flowers, from December to January.
How Was This Orchid Named?
The scientific name Prasophyllum wilkinsoniorum was first officially given to this orchid in the year 2000. It was named by a botanist (a plant scientist) named David Jones. He described the orchid after studying a sample collected near a place called Tantawangalo. The description was then published in a special magazine for orchid lovers called The Orchadian.
Where Does This Orchid Live?
This leek orchid grows in the area between Cathcart and Tantawangalo in New South Wales. It prefers to grow in flat, grassy areas.
