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Prasophyllum basalticum D.L.Jones & L.M.Copel.
Family Orchidaceae
Common name: Snowy Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum basalticum D.L.Jones & L.M.Copel. APNI*

Synonyms: Prasophyllum sp. A sensu Harden (1993) APNI*

Description: Terrestrial herb, to 40 cm high, growing singly.

Leaf 25–35 cm long, 3–5 mm wide, dark green, shiny.

Inflorescence a spike 7–15 cm long, 5–15-flowered, moderately dense. Flowers greenish red to brown and white, thin-textured, sweetly-scented. Dorsal sepal narrowly ovate-lanceolate, 8–10 mm long. Lateral sepals 8–10 mm long, divergent. Lateral petals linear-spathulate, 8–10 mm long, apex subacute to obtuse. Labellum 8.5–10.5 mm long and 3.5–4.0 mm wide, oblong-lanceolate when flattened, lamina strongly recurved, margins undulate to crisped. Callus plate yellow to yellowish green, ending just below the bend in the lamina. Column with wings oblong-elliptic; rostellum higher than column wings.

Capsules not seen.


Flowering: November–December, flowering without fire, but appearing enhanced by fire.

Distribution and occurrence: Between the Barrington Tops and the Ebor and Darrigo districts, from 700-1550 m.

In grassy woodlands subject to severe frost and dominated by snow gum and Banksia integrifolia subsp. monticola, on clay loams derived from basalt.
NSW subdivisions: NT
AVH map***

Prasophyllum basalticum is a member of the P. patens-P. odoratum species flock, and critical comparison with other members of this flock, including P. candidum, P. caricetum and P. stipatum by population genetic data is required. Described as allied to P. patens, but differing in its much larger flowers (12-15 x 7-12 mm vs 8-10 x 6-8 mm), larger oblong-lanceolate labellum (8.5-10.5 x 3.5-4 mm vs oblong-obovate labellum 6-7 x 2.5 mm) and a larger labellum callus (c. 4.5 mm x 2.5 mm vs c. 3.5 x 1.5 mm).

Text by R.L.Barrett & M.A.M.Renner, June 2025
Taxon concept: D.L.Jones & L.M.Copeland, The Australian Orchid Review, Feb.-Mar. 2018: 39-51 (2018)


APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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