Tall leek orchid facts for kids
The Tall Leek Orchid (scientific name: Prasophyllum elatum) is a special type of orchid. It is also known as the snake orchid or piano orchid. This plant is found only in Australia, meaning it is endemic to this country.
It is one of the tallest and most common orchids you can find in Western Australia. After a bushfire, you might see many of these orchids flowering, and they bloom for quite a long time!
Quick facts for kids Tall leek orchid |
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| Prasophyllum elatum growing in Mundaring | |
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What Does the Tall Leek Orchid Look Like?
The Tall Leek Orchid is a type of plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years and has soft stems, not woody ones.
This orchid can grow quite tall, usually between 0.3 and 1.2 meters (about 1 to 4 feet). Sometimes it can even reach 1.5 meters (nearly 5 feet)! It has a single long leaf, which can be up to 120 cm (about 4 feet) long.
The flowers grow on a tall spike, often with as many as 60 flowers packed together. They can be pale yellowish-green, brownish, or even purplish-black. If you get close, you might notice a faint smell. The flowers usually appear from August to October.
How Was the Tall Leek Orchid Named?
The Tall Leek Orchid was first officially described in 1810. This was done by a famous botanist named Robert Brown. He wrote about it in his book Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae.
Later, in 1840, another botanist named John Lindley wrote about it too. He mentioned that the plants he saw from the Swan River area were very tall. They were about 90 to 100 cm (3 to 4 feet) high, with a flower spike around 23 cm (9 inches) long.
The second part of its scientific name, elatum, comes from a Latin word. It means "exalted," "high," or "lofty," which perfectly describes how tall this orchid can grow!
Where Does the Tall Leek Orchid Grow?
The Tall Leek Orchid is very common and can be found in every state across Australia. It grows in different types of places depending on the region.
- In New South Wales, you might find it in coastal heath areas, scrub, and forests. Inland, it grows in sandy mallee areas or on rocky outcrops.
- In Western Australia, it prefers sand, gravel, and laterite soils. It often grows in areas that get wet during winter.
- In Victoria, it likes moist to well-drained soil in heathy woodlands and open forests. It can grow in full sun or partial shade. Interestingly, it often flowers much better after a fire has passed through the area.
