Prasophyllum rogersii explained

Prasophyllum rogersii, commonly known as the Barrington Tops leek orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to New South Wales. It has a single tubular leaf and up to twenty five reddish-brown flowers and only occurs in a few locations at higher altitudes.

Description

Prasophyllum rogersii is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single tube-shaped leaf NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. Between five and twenty five flowers are crowded along a flowering spike NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, reaching to a height of NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1. The flowers are reddish-brown or orange-brown. 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 egg-shaped to lance-shaped, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and about 3sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1. The lateral sepals are linear to lance-shaped, about 7sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, free from and parallel to each other. The petals are about 5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and curve forwards. The labellum is white, egg-shaped, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long, about 5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and turns sharply upwards with crinkled edges. There is a raised, shiny callus in the centre of the labellum and extending almost to its tip. Flowering occurs in December and January.[1] [2]

This orchid has been confused with P. niphopedium in Victoria[3] and with P. perangustum in Tasmania.[4] It is closely related to P. frenchii.[5]

Taxonomy and naming

Prasophyllum rogersii was first formally described in 1928 by Herman Rupp and the description was published in Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales.[6] [7] The specific epithet (rogersii) honours Richard Sanders Rogers whom Rupp described as "our recognized leader in the field of Australian orchidology".

Distribution and habitat

The Barrington Tops leek orchid grows in moist, grassy places in montane to subalpine habitats in the Barrington Tops National Park.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Jones. David L.. A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. 2006. New Holland. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.. 978-1877069123. 213.
  2. Web site: Bernhardt. Peter. Rowe. Ross. Prasophyllum rogersii. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney - plantnet. 23 December 2017.
  3. Web site: Jeanes. Jeff. Prasophyllum niphopedium. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. 23 December 2017.
  4. Jones. David L.. Contributions to Tasmanian Orchidology. Australian Orchid Research. 1998. 3. 119.
  5. Bates. Robert J.. Prasophyllum litorale A new species of Orchidaceae from south-west Victoria and adjacent South Australia. Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. 1990. 13. 59. 24 December 2017.
  6. Web site: Prasophyllum rogersii. APNI. 22 December 2017.
  7. Rupp. Herman. Terrestrial Orchids of Barrington Tops. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 1928. 53. 340–341. 23 December 2017.