Prasophyllum caricetum
| Cathcart leek orchid | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Subtribe: | Prasophyllinae |
| Genus: | Prasophyllum |
| Species: | P. caricetum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Prasophyllum caricetum | |
Prasophyllum caricetum, commonly known as the Cathcart leek orchid,[2] is a species of orchid endemic to a small area of southern New South Wales. It has a single tubular, bright green leaf and up to twenty five green, white and purplish flowers crowded on the flowering stem. It grows in montane swamps near Cathcart.
Description[edit]
Prasophyllum caricetum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single tube-shaped leaf, shiny, bright green leaf 200–350 mm (7.9–14 in) long with a whitish base. Between five and twenty five flowers are crowded along the flowering spike. The flowers are green with purplish and white petals and a white labellum. 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 egg-shaped to lance-shaped, 7.5–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long, about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide and curves upwards. The lateral sepals are linear to lance-shaped, 7.5–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long, about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide and sometimes joined together. The petals are linear in shape and about the same dimensions as the lateral sepals. The labellum is broadly oblong or elliptic to egg-shaped, 8–14 mm (0.3–0.6 in) long, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide, turns upwards and has a wavy edge. Flowering occurs from December to February.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming[edit]
Prasophyllum caricetum was first formally described in 2000 by David Jones from a specimen collected near Cathcart and the description was published in The Orchadian.[4]
Distribution and habitat[edit]
This leek orchid grows in swamps with sedges and rush-like members of the family Restionaceae between Cathcart and Majors Creek in southern New South Wales.[2][3]
References[edit]
- ^ "Prasophyllum caricetum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. pp. 197–198. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ a b Weston, Peter. "Prasophyllum caricetum". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney - plantnet. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
- ^ "Prasophyllum caricetum". APNI. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
External links[edit]
Media related to Prasophyllum caricetum at Wikimedia Commons
