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

Common Name: slaty leek-orchid

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Form Description: A slender green-brown leek orchid, single, tubular green leaf, 200-400mm long.

Height (m): 0.2 – 0.4

Flowers: 1-30 widely-opening, greenish-brown to maroon flowers, on a moderately crowded brown stem. A sharply-recurved, tapered labellum, pinched in at the midpoint, projects back through the lateral sepals and is distinguished by a shiny, thick, green callus that extends almost to the apex. Mildly fragrant.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieDorsetFlindersGeorge TownLatrobeWaratah-WynyardWest Coast
Plant Communities
No data available for this species
Habitat Notes

Widespread and fairly common in the north and west of Tasmania, growing in teatree sedgeland and heathland.

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.