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Prasophyllum brevisepalum D.L.Jones & L.M.Copel.
Family Orchidaceae
Common name: Short-sepalled Leek Orchid

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

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

Leaf 20–35 cm long, 3–5 mm wide, dark green, shiny.

Inflorescence a spike 7–15 cm long, 5–15-flowered, moderately dense. Flowers yellowish green to brownish green and white, thin-textured, sweetly-scented. Dorsal sepal narrowly ovate-lanceolate, 7–9 mm long. Lateral sepals 6–7 mm long, parallel or slightly divergent. Lateral petals linear, 7–8 mm long, apex acute. Labellum 8.5–10.5 mm long and 4.5–5.5 mm wide, oblong-lanceolate when flattened, lamina recurved, margins undulate to crisped. Callus plate yellow to yellowish green, ending well below the bend in the lamina. Column details unknown.

Capsules not seen.


Flowering: September–October

Distribution and occurrence: Ony known from a single site NNW of Inverell on the North Western Slopes, c. 600 m.

In grassy woodland dominated by yellow box and Blakelys red gum with kangaroo grass and snow grass on rich, chocolate clay loams derived from basalt.
NSW subdivisions: NWS
AVH map***

Prasophyllum brevisepalum is a member of the P. patens-P. odoratum species flock, and critical comparison with other members of this flock, including P. album, P. anticum, P. canobolense, P. graniticola and P. holzingeri by population genetic data is required. Plants from Inverell evidently comprise a mix of short and normal-length sepals (Figure in Jones 2024). Described as allied to P. odorata, but differing by its short dorsal sepal (7-9 mm long vs 8-11 mm long) and short lateral sepals (6-7 mm long vs 8-10 mm long) which remain more or less parallel and often with recurved tips (vs widely divergent with spreading tips), and a wider yellow callus (2.5-3 mm wide vs 1.5 mm) extending well beyond the bend in the labellum.

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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