Slaty leek orchid (Prasophyllum rostratum)
Description
Prasophyllum rostratum�is a terrestrial,�perennial,�deciduous,�herb�with an underground�tuber�and a single tube-shaped leaf which is 250�600�mm (10�20�in) long and 5�8�mm (0.2�0.3�in) wide. Between ten and twenty five greenish to greenish-brown flowers are loosely arranged along a flowering spike which is 80�220�mm (3�9�in) long reaching to a height of 200�400�mm (8�20�in). The flowers are 14�16�mm (0.55�0.63�in) long and 8�10�mm (0.3�0.4�in) wide and as with other leek orchids, are inverted so that the�labellum�is above the�column�rather than below it. The�dorsal�sepal�is 9�12�mm (0.4�0.5�in) long, about 4�mm (0.2�in) wide and the�lateral�sepals are 7�12�mm (0.3�0.5�in) long, about 2�mm (0.08�in) wide, curve backwards and are free from each other. The�petals�are 6�11�mm (0.2�0.4�in) long, about 1�mm (0.04�in) wide and curve forwards and slightly upwards. The�labellum�is 6�8�mm (0.2�0.3�in) long, about 4�mm (0.2�in) wide and turns sharply upwards near its middle. There is a raised, fleshy, more or less bulbous�callus�in its centre. The labellum has a tail-like tip. Flowering occurs from October to December and is strongly promoted by fires the previous summer.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Asparagales
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Family: Orchidaceae
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Genus: Prasophyllum
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