Prasophyllum montanum
| Mountain leek orchid | |
|---|---|
| File:Prasophyllum montanum.jpg | |
| Prasophyllum montanum growing in Namadgi National Park | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Subtribe: | Prasophyllinae |
| Genus: | Prasophyllum |
| Species: |
P. montanum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Prasophyllum montanum |
|
Prasophyllum montanum, commonly known as the mountain leek orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has a single tubular, green leaf and up to fifty scented, greenish to pinkish flowers. It grows in montane ecosystems at altitudes above Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value)..
Contents
Description
Prasophyllum montanum 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 at its purplish base. Between ten and fifty fragrant flowers are crowded along a flowering spike Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long. The flowers are greenish to pinkish, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). wide. 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 egg-shaped to lance-shaped, 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 lateral sepals are green, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long, about Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). wide and joined to each other for about half their length. The petals are green or purplish, linear to lance-shaped, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long, about Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). wide and spread widely. The labellum is white or pinkish-purple, broadly egg-shaped or arrow-head shaped, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). long, Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). wide, turns upwards and has a slightly wavy edge. There is a greenish, raised callus in the centre of the labellum. Flowering occurs from December to February.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
Prasophyllum montanum was first formally described in 1991 by Robert Bates and David Jones from a specimen collected at Mount Franklin in the Australian Capital Territory and the description was published in Australian Orchid Research.[1][3] The specific epithet (montanum) is a Latin word meaning "of mountains"[4] referring the habitat of this species.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The mountain leek orchid grows on dry rocky ridges or in forest, usually above Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).. It is found in montane regions of the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales south from the Brindabella Range, and in northern Victoria.[2][3]
References
External links
Media related to Prasophyllum montanum at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Prasophyllum montanum at Wikispecies
