The Graveside Leek-orchid is a small fleshy terrestrial orchid with a single green onion-like leaf up to 30 cm long. The flowering stem emerges from the end of the leaf and has a spike of small pinkish-purplish flowers. The dark-green solitary leaf is erect, 20-30 cm long, 3-5 mm wide and circular in cross-section; the base of the leaf is 2-4 mm in diameter, white or purplish. The free part of the leaf is suberect, about 16 cm long, partly withered at flowering time. Fifteen to twenty-five flowers grow as a moderately dense spike 5.5-6.5 cm long. The flowers open widely, 5-6 mm across, are crowded, light green and pinkish cream, with pinkish to purplish petals and labellum, and are strongly scented.
Graveside Leek-orchid |
Prasophyllum taphanyx
Status: Critically Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Prasophyllum taphanyx
The main potential threats to the Graveside Leek orchid include weed invasion; off target herbicide impact; changes to the slashing mowing regime; damage by machinery; changes in fire frequency and fertilizer application.
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Australian Government, Listing Advices, Prasophyllum taphanyx
Changes in the fire frequency can also have an adverse impact on orchid persistence as orchids may be shaded out by overgrown tussock grasslands which are left undisturbed.
Other potential threats are changes in fire frequency and fertilizer application.
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