Prasophyllum elatum

Tall leek orchid
Prasophyllum elatum growing in Mundaring
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Subtribe: Prasophyllinae
Genus: Prasophyllum
Species: P. elatum
Binomial name
Prasophyllum elatum
R.Br.

Prasophyllum elatum, commonly known as the tall leek orchid, snake orchid or piano orchid is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae which is endemic to Australia. It is one of the tallest orchids found in Western Australia as well as one of the most common and widespread. It often flowers in large numbers after a bushfire and has a relatively long flowering period.

Description

The tall leek orchid is a tuberous perennial herb growing to a height of 0.3-1.2 m, sometimes 1.50 m. It has a single leaf, up to 120 cm long and a flower spike crowded, often with up to 60 flowers. The flowers are pale yellowish-green to brownish or purplish black and faintly fragrant with the sepal at the back of the flower up to 11 mm long. The flowers appear from August to October.[1][2]

Taxonomy and naming

Prasophyllum elatum was first described in 1810 by Robert Brown in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae.[3] John Lindley noted in his 1840 book The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants that "My Swan River specimens of this are from 3 to 4 feet [90-100 cm] high, with a spike of flowers 9 inches [23 cm] long".[4] The specific epithet (elatum) is a Latin word meaning exalted", "high" or "lofty".[5]

Distribution and habitat

The tall leek orchid is common and widespread in every Australian state. In New South Wales it grows in coastal heath, scrub and forest and inland in sandy mallee to heath or rock outcrops.[2] In Western Australia it grows in sand, gravel and laterite in winter-wet depressions.[6] In Victoria it is found in moist to well drained soil in heathy woodlands and open forest, in full sun or semi shade where it flowers better after fire.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Tindale, Mary D.; Carolin, Roger C, (1994). Flora of the Sydney region (4th ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Reed. p. 670. ISBN 0730104001.
  2. 1 2 Bernhardt, Peter; Rowe, Ross. "Prasophyllum elatum". Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "Prasophyllum elatum R.Br.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  4. ↑ Lindley, John (1840). The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants. Piccadilly, London: Ridgways. p. 515. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 297.
  6. ↑ "Prasophyllum elatum R.Br.". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  7. ↑ "Prasophyllum elatum". Yarra Ranges Shire Council. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
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