Prasophyllum flavum
Yellow Leek Orchid
Stout erect perennial herb growing from a fleshy tuber, new tubers produced at a distance. Fleshy green to dark brown stem. Flowers upside down with lip (labellum) on top.
Additional information
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Sizeto 90 cm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- LeavesSingle erect fleshy purplish leaf, round in cross section, to 60 cm long, closely sheathed, free section short, to 30 mm.
- Flower colourYellow-green
- Flowering timeNovember to January
- FlowersCrowded spike to 20 cm long of 8-50 scented flowers to 10 mm across, ovary gradually narrowing. Central sepal oval, incurved, erect lateral sepals joined, flat, petals narrow. Lightly bent lip is green with white wavy margins.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist soils amongst undergrowth in tall mountain forests. Dappled to full shade.
- 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 statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from a few sites in the Dandenongs where it still occurs in small numbers.
- 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 Colin Rowan, RetiredAussies ©; 3, 4 Cathy Powers ©
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