Prasophyllum caudiculum

Prasophyllum caudiculum, commonly known as the Guyra leek orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to a small area of northern New South Wales. It has a single tubular, bright green leaf and up to thirty five greenish to reddish-brown flowers crowded along an erect flowering stem. It grows in grassy places near Guyra.

Guyra leek orchid
Prasophyllum caudiculum growing near Guyra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Subtribe: Prasophyllinae
Genus: Prasophyllum
Species:
P. caudiculum
Binomial name
Prasophyllum caudiculum

Description

Prasophyllum caudiculum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single tube-shaped, bright green leaf, 300–450 mm (12–18 in) long with a reddish-purple base. Between ten and thirty five flowers are crowded along the flowering spike. The flowers are greenish-brown to reddish-brown. 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 narrow egg-shaped to lance-shaped, 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide and curves downwards. The lateral sepals are linear to lance-shaped, 8–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and separated from each other. The petals are linear in shape, about 6 mm (0.2 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) wide. The labellum is broadly oblong to elliptic, 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long, about 5 mm (0.2 in) wide and turns upwards at about 90° near its middle, often extending between the lateral sepals. The edge of the labellum flares widely and is wavy near its tip. There is a broad, green, fleshy, channelled callus in the centre of the labellum. Flowering occurs from October to December.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Prasophyllum caudiculum was first formally described in 2000 by David Jones from a specimen collected near Guyra and the description was published in The Orchadian.[3][1] The specific epithet (caudiculum) is derived from Latin meaning "a little tail", referring to the narrow labellum mid-lobe.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This leek orchid grows with grasses and herbs on the New England Tableland.[2]

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References
  1. "Prasophyllum caudiculum". APNI. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  2. Weston, Peter. "Prasophyllum caudiculum". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney - plantnet. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  3. Jones, David L. (2000). "Ten new species of Prasophyllum (Orchidaceae) from south-eastern Australia". The Orchadian. 13 (4): 155–156.
  • Prasophyllum caudiculum habit
  • Side view of P. caudiculum flower
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