Prasophyllum validum
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| Mount Remarkable 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. validum |
| Binomial name | |
| Prasophyllum validum | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Prasophyllum validum, commonly known as Mount Remarkable leek orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to South Australia. It has a single tubular leaf and up to forty five green to yellowish-green flowers with a white labellum. A similar leek orchid occurring in Victoria, previously included in this species, is known recognised as the undescribed Prasophyllum sp. aff. validum.
Prasophyllum validum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single tube-shaped leaf 300–600 mm (10–20 in) long and 4–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. Between twenty and forty five flowers are arranged along a flowering spike 100–300 mm (4–10 in) long reaching to a height of 200–400 mm (8–20 in). The flowers are green to yellowish-green, about 15 mm (0.6 in) wide and fragrant. 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 lance-shaped, 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. The lateral sepals are 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and joined to each other except near the tips. The petals are 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The labellum is white, 8–9.5 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long, about 5 mm (0.2 in) wide and turns sharply upwards near its middle, the upturned part sharply pointed with wavy edges. There is a fleshy, shiny green callus in the centre of the labellum and extending almost to its tip. Flowering occurs in November and December.[2][3]
A similar orchid found in Victoria, formerly included in this species, is now recognised as an undescribed species with the temporary name Prasophyllum sp. aff. validum.[4]
Taxonomy and naming
Prasophyllum validum was first formally described in 1927 by Richard Sanders Rogers and the description was published in Transactions, proceedings and report, Royal Society of South Australia.[5][6] The specific epithet (validum) is a Latin word meaning "strong" or "sound".[7]