Prasophyllum unicum
| Prasophyllum unicum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Prasophyllum |
| Species: | P. unicum
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| 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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Prasophyllum unicum occurs in New South Wales.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Prasophyllum unicum". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Prasophyllum unicum". APNI. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
- ^ "Corunastylis rufa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 August 2023.