Prasophyllum amoenum
| Dainty leek orchid | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Subtribe: | Prasophyllinae |
| Genus: | Prasophyllum |
| Species: |
P. amoenum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Prasophyllum amoenum |
|
Prasophyllum amoenum, commonly known as the dainty leek orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to Tasmania. It has a single tubular, green leaf with a purplish base and between five and twelve light green, dark brown and white flowers. In 2007, the entire population was estimated to be about 600 plants.
Contents
Description
Prasophyllum amoenum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single tube-shaped leaf, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long and Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). wide, the free part Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long. Between five and twelve flowers are loosely arranged along a flowering spike Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long reaching to a height of Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).. The flowers are greenish, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long and Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). wide with dark brown lateral sepals, white and red petals and a white or pinkish labellum. As with others in the genus, the flowers are inverted so that the labellum is above the column rather than below it. The dorsal sepal is a narrow egg-shape to lance-shape, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long and about Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). wide. The lateral sepals are up to Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long and spread apart from each other. The petals are narrow linear to lance-shaped, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long and about Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). wide. The labellum is Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long and turns upwards, sometimes extending above the lateral sepals and its edges are wavy. Flowering occurs in January.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy and naming
Prasophyllum amoenum was first formally described in 1998 by David Jones from a specimen collected near Snug and the description was published in Australian Orchid Research.[1][2] The specific epithet (amoenum) is a Latin word meaning "pleasant" or "delightful".[5][2]
Distribution and habitat
The dainty leek orchid grows with rushes, sedges and grasses in south-eastern Tasmania.[2]
Conservation
Prasophyllum amoenum is only found in five populations containing a total of 500-600 plants. In some years, no plants have been observed in flower because of drought or browsing. The species is classified as Vulnerable under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and as Endangered under the Commonwealth Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) Act.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links
Media related to Prasophyllum amoenum at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Prasophyllum amoenum at Wikispecies
