Prasophyllum pyriforme
Graceful Leek-orchid
Slender erect perennial herb growing from a fleshy tuber, new tubers produced at base of plant. Green to brownish stem. Flowers upside down with lip (labellum) on top
Additional information
- SynonymPrasophyllum constrictum
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size15-50 cm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- LeavesSingle slender to stout erect fleshy dark green leaf with purplish base, round in cross section, to 45 cm long, free section to 15 cm, non sheathing, often withered by flowering.
- Flower colourGreenish with red-brown shading, lip white to deep pink
- Flowering timeNovember to December
- FlowersDense spike to 15 cm long of 10-50 scented flowers to 12 mm across, ovary short. Central sepal pointed; long, narrow sepals & petals; lateral sepals free or almost fully joined. Lip on short basal claw, bent back from the middle, wavy margins.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist well drained loamy soil in open forest and heathy woodland. Semi shade. Often requires fire to flower well.
- 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 statusUnknown status. First collected within the Shire. Disappeared from some locations.
- 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 Jeff Jeanes ©; 2 Neil Blair, © Royal Botanic Gardens Board
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