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Prasophyllum caricetum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cathcart leek orchid
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Subtribe: Prasophyllinae
Genus: Prasophyllum
Species:
P. caricetum
Binomial name
Prasophyllum caricetum

Prasophyllum caricetum, commonly known as the Cathcart leek orchid,[2] is a species of orchid endemic to a small area of southern New South Wales. It has a single tubular, bright green leaf and up to twenty five green, white and purplish flowers crowded on the flowering stem. It grows in montane swamps near Cathcart.

Description

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Prasophyllum caricetum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single tube-shaped leaf, shiny, bright green leaf 200–350 mm (7.9–14 in) long with a whitish base. Between five and twenty five flowers are crowded along the flowering spike. The flowers are green with purplish and white petals and a white 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 egg-shaped to lance-shaped, 7.5–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long, about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide and curves upwards. The lateral sepals are linear to lance-shaped, 7.5–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long, about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide and sometimes joined together. The petals are linear in shape and about the same dimensions as the lateral sepals. The labellum is broadly oblong or elliptic to egg-shaped, 8–14 mm (0.3–0.6 in) long, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide, turns upwards and has a wavy edge. Flowering occurs from December to February.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

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Prasophyllum caricetum was first formally described in 2000 by David Jones from a specimen collected near Cathcart and the description was published in The Orchadian.[4]

Distribution and habitat

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This leek orchid grows in swamps with sedges and rush-like members of the family Restionaceae between Cathcart and Majors Creek in southern New South Wales.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ "Prasophyllum caricetum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. pp. 197–198. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. ^ a b Weston, Peter. "Prasophyllum caricetum". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney - plantnet. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Prasophyllum caricetum". APNI. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
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