About Prasophyllum australe R.Br.
Prasophyllum australe, commonly known as the southern leek orchid, is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. It produces a single green, tube-shaped leaf, which reaches up to 350 mm (10 in) long and up to 8 mm (0.3 in) in diameter near its reddish base. The entire flowering spike grows between 250 and 900 mm (10–40 in) tall, with between 60 and 200 mm (2–8 in) of the spike holding flowers. Up to fifty or more highly scented flowers grow along this section of the spike. The flowers are greenish-brown with white and reddish stripes, and are often sweetly fragrant. Like other species in the Prasophyllum genus, the flowers of this species are inverted, meaning the labellum sits above the column instead of below it. The ovary measures 6–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long and is pressed against the flowering stem. The lateral sepals are about 6 mm (0.2 in) long, joined for most of their length, and form the uppermost part of the flower. The dorsal sepal, lateral sepals, and petals are similar in size and shape, ranging from lance-shaped to egg-shaped and 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long. The lateral sepals are joined along their sides. The labellum is white, about 8 mm (0.3 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide, curves upwards, and has a wavy margin. Flowering occurs between September and January, and is more abundant after fire the previous summer. This species grows in swampy areas within forest and heath habitats. Its distribution spans south-eastern Queensland, near-coastal New South Wales, southern Victoria, south-eastern South Australia, and Tasmania.
