Laughing Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum macrostachyum

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Laughing Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum macrostachyum

Very similar to the Little Laughing Leek Orchid, Prasophyllum gracile and overlaps with it in the southern mallee and along the coast. However, whereas the latter has long and thinnish flowers (around 10 mm x 4-5 mm), the Laughing Leek's flowers are around 8 mm x 6 mm, so shorter and more plump. The flowers also tend to be more widely spaced along the stem, plus the points on the lateral sepals are shorter and thicker. The other main difference is the flowering period, which is much later for the Laughing Leek and runs from September to January, whereas the Little Laughing Leek flowers earlier from July to October.

A reasonably common orchid, but due to its non-descript coloration and small size, it is commonly overlooked. Main habitat is around winter-wet swamps and in shallowish soil over granite. It does not usually extend far inland, preferring the higher rainfall areas closer to the coast, although it is well represented in suitable habitat in southern (ex mallee) wheatbelt regions.

Dainty Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum plumaeforme

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Dainty Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum plumaeforme

Growing to half a metre in height (over 1' 6") and being very slender, it appears quite wispy when growing over short (after fire) regenerating vegetation. You would think being so distinct that it could be seen from some distance, but it only becomes obvious when you are quite close, so surprisingly is easily overlooked. The plants I have seen have been in small scattered groups, further permitting it to blend into its sandy heath environment.

Mainly found on elevated flat to gently sloping sandy hills and although more common after a summer bushfire, they can still be found without, providing the area is not heavily overgrown. Normally flowers September to November, with October being the main period.

Autumn Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum parvifolium

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Autumn Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum parvifolium

Also called the Scented Autumn Leek Orchid because of the strongly scented flowers. In the Esperance region it is quite common although rarely occurring in sizeable colonies, but mostly singularly or in small scattered groups. It is one of those orchids that you happen upon, because it you specifically look for them, chances are you won't find any. It is usually found in low-lying areas with sub-surface moisture, or around ephemeral swamps and granite outcrops. The flowering period is from April to July and is dependent on the timing of autumn rains (earlier rain results in earlier flowering).

The Autumn Leek Orchid is not reliant of summer bushfires to flower, but being a smallish orchid, it can quickly become smothered by larger plants, so periodic fires to reduce this competition is an advantage for its continued welfare.

Hooded Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum cucullatum

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Hooded Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum cucullatum

I have only found a single plant of this species, and that was a very poor specimen. It was growing in sandy soil above an ephemeral swamp after a summer bushfire and has not reappeared since. This orchid reminds me more of a Hyacinth bulb with the very compact flowering spike, and I imagine a number of them would produce quite a display. From reading about this species, it would seem to favour rocky soils, so my plant was possibly just a blow-in.

Normally flowers from late August to October.

Yawning Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum hians

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Yawning Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum hians

When I eventually discovered this orchid, the flowers were well past their prime. I was however, consoled that they were not well represented immediately to the east of Esperance, where I was investigating an area after a summer bushfire (the only time they will flower). There were only a handful of plants growing in a sandy soil around an ephemeral swamp.

Normal flowering time is from September to November.

Frilled Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum sargentii

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Frilled Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum sargentii

A widespread orchid after summer bushfires, but no where common. It is usually scattered singly or a few plants on flat to gently sloping sandy soil, but although often found within a stones throw of low-lying swampy ground, it generally prefers more elevated locations with better drainage. The Frilled Leek benefits from summer bushfires by producing more flowering plants, but odd ones can still be found in unburnt country providing it is not overgrown by larger shrubs.

Easily identified by the white lateral sepals and the long slender frilled labellum. It grows to half a metre (1'-6") and can often be spotted from some distance, flowering above low regenerating heath. Normally in bloom by late August, September and October.

Scented Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum odoratissimum

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Scented Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum odoratissimum

Previously known as Prasophyllum odoratum, it is a sweetly scented orchid and grows on stabilised alkaline tertiary dunes. The flowers are white/green and the sepals are divided to the ovary, making it a very distinctive species. Like most Leek Orchids, it does well after a summer bushfire, but can still be found at other times. It is one of those species that is nowhere common although widely distributed and is often found growing on the dunes (not in the hollows), on exposed flat to gently sloping locations.

Flowering period is usually September and October.

Little Laughing Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum gracile

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Little Laughing Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum gracile

Previously known as Prasophyllum ringens, it is one of the smallest of the leek orchids being only to 150 mm (6") and often smaller. Very widespread, but nowhere noticeably common. It is the sort of plant you stumble upon. It prefers moist soils in low-lying drainage and seepage zones, or around granite outcrops.

Due to the long pointy tips of the lateral sepals and its small size, it is not likely to be confused with other species, although flower color can vary from green to dark red. It is more obvious after a bushfire (probably because it is less hidden), but it does not need one in order to flower.

It can flower from July to October, but August/September would be the best time to look for them.

Tall Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum elatum

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Tall Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum elatum

Like the name suggests a tall orchid, often growing to over a metre in height, although as kangaroos are very partial to them, many will have their tops bitten off. However they are very common after summer bushfires but less so without, although some can usually still be found. They grow in low-lying drainage areas, around ephemeral swamps and in slightly elevated sandy heath (possibly with sub-surface moisture), plus around granite outcrops.

Color-wise, they are extremely variable, varying from shades of green, brown, bronze, dark red to almost black. The flowers on the stem can be tightly congested or quite spaced (possibly due to the age of the plant). However the labellum is reasonably consistent with a raised centre plate largely surrounded by a pinched frilly edge. The plants seldom form compact colonies, but tend to be scattered within suitable habitat.

Flowering can take place in August, but the main period is usually during October, and finishing in November.

Fringed Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum fimbria

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Fringed Leek Orchid - Prasophyllum fimbria

A large and attractive orchid growing to around a metre (3 foot) in height, in low-lying zones around ephemeral swamps, on flats and drainage areas. The stem is very variable, varying from green to almost black, but the labellum is always delicately fringed with white wavy edges. These orchids will flower very well after a summer bushfire, but will also do so without, and like many orchid species, will only stop flowering when they become heavily overgrown.

Some references state the Fringe Leek Orchid flowers from June to September, but although they may send up a flowering stem this early, I have not seen them in flower before August, then plants will flower through September and others well into October.