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Prasophyllum unicum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prasophyllum unicum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Prasophyllum
Species:
P. unicum
Binomial name
Prasophyllum unicum
Synonyms[1]

Prasophyllum unicum is a species of terrestrial orchid that is endemic to New South Wales. It has a single leaf fused to the flowering stem and between two and fifteen flowers with a dark reddish labellum.

Description

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Prasophyllum unicum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single leaf sheathing the flowering stem at the base. Between two and fifteen flowers are arranged on a flowering stem 100–130 mm (3.9–5.1 in) high. The flowers are inverted so that the labellum is above the column rather than below it. The dorsal sepal is about 3 mm (0.12 in) long and oblong, narrowing to a long, thread-like tip, and barely forming a hood over the column. The lateral sepals are lance-shaped, about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and swollen at the base. The petals are narrow, shorter than the dorsal sepal with a fine, thread-like tip. The labellum is spatula-shaped with a thread-like tip, and a two thick, parallel, dark reddish calli.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

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Prasophyllum unicum was first formally described in 1942 by Herman Montague Rupp in The Victorian Naturalist from specimens collected in Normanhurst in the same year.[2][3] The name is accepted at Plants of the World Online[1] but is considered a synonym of Corunastylis rufa at the Australian Plant Census.[4] The specific epithet (unica) means "unique", "because it stands alone among all forms hitherto described".[2]

Distribution and habitat

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Prasophyllum unicum occurs in New South Wales.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Prasophyllum unicum". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Rupp, Herman M.R. (1942). "The section Genoplesium in the genus Prasophyllum (Orchidaceae)". The Victorian Naturalist. 59 (7): 124–125. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Prasophyllum unicum". APNI. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Corunastylis rufa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 August 2023.