Prior names
Prasophyllum fuscum
Common names
Pale Leek-orchid
Etymology
Prasophyllum from the Greek 'prason' meaning a leek and 'phyllon' meaning a leaf, referring to the leek-like orchid leaf. Pallidum from the Latin 'pallidus' meaning pale, referring to the very pale flowers.
Distribution and status
Endemic to South Australia and found in southern Flinders Ranges and the Mount Lofty Ranges, growing on the more fertile soils of woodland and well-grassed open forests. Native. Very rare in South Australia. Vulnerable in Australia under the EPBC Act.
Herbarium regions: Flinders Ranges, Northern Lofty, Southern Lofty, Green Adelaide
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Terrestrial orchid with slender stem to 30 cm tall. Leaf long and lax, green at the base. Inflorescence a loose spike with many wholly pale green, sweetly fragrant flowers standing well out from the spike. Dorsal sepal ovate-lanceolate, to 6 mm long, generally erect, rarely recurved, lateral sepals rather longer, to 6.5 mm, quite free, parallel, lanceolate, usually with cylindrical 2-dentate points, petals bluntly linear, to 6.5 mm long, erect, labellum sessile, ovate-cuneate, to 5 mm long, recurved very nearly at fight angles about the middle. Flowering between September to November. Fruits are pale brown papery ellipsoid capsules along the spike. Seeds are very small orange-brown ellipsoid seed with a long cylindrical translucent brown mesh-like covering.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between October and December. Collect fat capsules as they start to dry and turn brown. Pods will split and release the seeds quickly and will require monitoring. To increase the chances of collecting mature pods, it is recommended that a small breathable bag (ie. Organza bags) be used to enclose the developing capsules. Place the capsules in a container that will hold fine seeds and leave to dry for a few weeks or until the capsule split. Then carefully hold the capsule and tap it gently to release the seeds. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place, refrigerator or in liquid nitrogen. For the NVC South East Orchid Project one population consisting of more than 10 individuals was recorded at Bangham Conservation Park. Approximately 145,000 seeds (0.44 g) were banked. Seed viability was 59%. Seed germination in orchids is difficult in the absence of symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi. More research is needed to understand the requirements for seed germination in Prasophyllum species.
Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18-Nov-2009 | J. Quarmby Southern Lofty | 1-Nov-2016 | N/C | -80°C | |||
BGA | 66,000 (0.031 g) | 18-Nov-2010 | J. Quarmby Southern Lofty | 1-Nov-2016 | 59% | -80°C | |
13-Nov-2009 | J. Quarmby Southern Lofty | 1-Nov-2016 | N/C | -80°C | |||
3 spikes | 18-Nov-2009 | J. Quarmby Southern Lofty | 1-Nov-2016 | N/C | -80°C | ||
BGA | 145,000 (0.068 g) | 5 | 12-Oct-2013 | KHB777 South Eastern | 1-Nov-2016 | 72% | -80°C |
BGA | 94,000 (0.044 g) | 4 | 16-Nov-2010 | K. Brewer Southern Lofty | 1-Nov-2016 | 50% | -80°C |
BGA | 174,000 (0.12 g) | 20 | 30-Oct-2019 | TST1423 Southern Lofty | 24-May-2020 | N/C | -18°C |
BGA | 57,000 (0.041 g) | 7 | 30-Oct-2019 | KHB1007 Southern Lofty | 24-Jun-2020 | N/C | -18°C |
BGA | 64,000 (0.046 g) | 7 | 19-Nov-2019 | Jenkin's Scrub Southern Lofty | 24-Jun-2020 | N/C | -18°C |
BGA | 139,000 (0.10 g) | 8 | 19-Nov-2019 | Roesslers, Springton Murray | 24-Jun-2020 | N/C | -18°C |
BGA | 793,000 (0.57 g) | 42 | 30-Oct-2019 | TST1421 Southern Lofty | 24-Jun-2020 | N/C | -18°C, -80°C |
BGA | 122,400 (0.088 g) | 20 | 11-Nov-2019 | Native Avenue, Wistow Southern Lofty | 24-Jun-2020 | N/C | -18°C |
BGA | 592,000 (0.42 g) | 34 | 29-Oct-2019 | Scott Creek CP Southern Lofty | 24-Jun-2020 | N/C | -18°C, -80°C |
BGA | 86,900 (0.062 g) | 5 | 17-Nov-2020 | D.Kilpin's property Murray | 28-Jun-2021 | N/C | -18°C |
BGA | 45,700 (0.033 g) | 18 | 13-Oct-2020 | KHB1030 South Eastern | 28-Jun-2021 | N/C | -18°C |
BGA | 623,300 (0.448 g) | 22 | 4-Nov-2021 | Scott Creek CP Southern Lofty | 10-Aug-2022 | N/C | -18°C, -80°C |
BGA | 276,800 (0.199 g) | 14 | 4-Nov-2021 | Wadmore Park Southern Lofty | 10-Aug-2022 | N/C | -18°C, -80°C |
BGA | 1,029,600 (0.740 g) | 33 | 22-Nov-2021 | Cromer CP Southern Lofty | 10-Aug-2022 | N/C | -18°C, -80°C |