Scientific Name: Paraprasophyllum olidum Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: pungent leek-orchid

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Threatened Species Status: Endangered

Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.

Form Description: A slender, green-brown leek orchid with relatively long tapered tepals with a single tubular yellowish-green leaf.

Height (m): 0.35 – 0.6

Flowers: A dense spike of 10-30 bright green to brownish-green flowers with long, free lateral sepals. An elliptical labellum, strongly recurved in the middle with slightly irregular margins and a shiny yellowish-green callus. Strongly fragrant.

Municipality
Northern Midlands
Plant Communities
Grassland
Habitat Notes

Known from only one site in moist, sandy native grassland in the Tasmanian midlands.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Specialist Method

Seed Information

Seed Treatment Notes

Orchid seeds are very minute yellow, brown or blackish dust-like particles. Orchid seeds are produced within a capsule that splits at maturity and releases thousands to millions of seeds. Dispersed by wind and water and only germinate following infection of the embryo by a suitable mycorrhizal fungus. Very few seeds become mature plants. For more information see Jones, Wapstra, Tonelli, Harris (1999): The Orchids of Tasmania.