Prasophyllum brevilabre
Short-lip Leek-orchid
Slender erect perennial herb growing from a fleshy tuber, new tubers produced at base of plant. Green to purplish stem. Flowers upside down with lip (labellum) on top
Additional information
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size12-40 cm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- LeavesSingle slender to stout erect fleshy dark green leaf with reddish base, round in cross section, to 35 cm long, free section rigid, pointed, to 80 mm, non sheathing.
- Flower colourPale to dark green with reddish-brown stripes
- Flowering timeSeptember to December
- FlowersLoose spike 2-6 cm long of 8-30 flowers to 10 mm across, ovary short. Central sepal pointed, incurved; erect lateral sepals joined, incurved. Narrow white lip folded back, wavy margins.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist soil in open mountain forests and heathy woodlands. Semi shade. Generally flowers after fire.
- Garden useUse of orchids in gardens is not recommended, unless they already occur naturally, in which case they need to be protected. Removing orchids from the bush usually results in their death and further depletes remaining wild orchid populations.
- Commercially availableNever
- Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
- Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
- Related speciesSimilar to Corunastylis. Distinguish by the claw-less labellum and the leaf sheath which opens well below the flower spike rather than just below it. Flowering is spring rather than summer/autumn.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 2 David Francis, NatureShare©; 3 Cathy Powers ©
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