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Range of Prasophyllum brownii
Range of Prasophyllum brownii.

Christmas Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum brownii Rchb.f. 1871

Synonyms

Notes

The Christmas Leek Orchid is endemic to the higher-rainfall areas of south-western WA between Perth and Albany, where it grows in forests, woodlands and in soil pockets on granite outcrops. As its name suggests, the Christmas Leek Orchid flowers during late spring and early summer, making it the last of WA’s Leek Orchids to flower each season. While the Christmas Leek Orchid does not require fire to stimulate flowering, the orchids will flower in much greater profusion in the season following a summer bushfire.

While similar to other species of Leek Orchid found in south-western WA, the Christmas Leek Orchid is easily recognised by its late flowering period and characteristic, cream-coloured flowers.

Photos

Prasophyllum brownii
The light-green flower stem can carry up to 50 cream-coloured flowers. (Torndirrup NP, WA, 28 / 12 / 2017)
Prasophyllum brownii
Close-up view of an individual flower. (Torndirrup NP, WA, 28 / 12 / 2017)
Prasophyllum brownii
Large specimens can grow over a metre tall and carry dozens of small flowers. (Torndirrup NP, WA, 28 / 12 / 2017)
Prasophyllum brownii
View of the full plant, here growing at the base of a small tree. (Torndirrup NP, WA, 28 / 12 / 2017)

References