Prasophyllum – Leek Orchids | Orchids of South-west Australia

There are around 25 species of Leek Orchids in the south west of Western Australia. Most of these require a hot summer burn, after which they flower in profusion. There is great variety within the genus, with species ranging from the tiny Laughing Leek Orchid (P. gracile) to the King Leek Orchid (P. regium), which can reach over 1.5 metres in height with over 80 flowers.

Prasophyllum fimbria - Fringed Leek Orchid

The Fringed Leek Orchid is identified by the colourful, prominently fringed labellum. The stems are quite variable in colour from green black. The orchid will flower in unburnt bushland, but flowers in much greater profusion after a burn. It flowers from August to October.

Prasophyllum fimbria - Fringed Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum parvifolium - Autumn Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum sp. 'early' - Scented Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum sp. 'Brookton Highway' - Rare Leek Orchid

One of the first Leek Orchids to flower, starting in July, the Autumn Leek Orchid does not require a burn and reaches up to 25cm tall. Somewhat wrongly named as the orchid flowers in winter, not autumn. The Scented Autumn Leek Orchid actually does flower in autumn (April-May) and is distinguished from the Autumn Leek Orchid by its paler, scented flowers and earlier flowering time. The Rare Leek Orchid is distinguished by its later flowering period (late August-October), the pinkish colouring of the flowers and its self pollinating habit, which results in flowers seldom having more than 1-3 flowers open at a time.

Prasophyllum parvifolium - Autumn Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum parvifolium - Autumn Leek orchid

Prasophyllum parvifolium - Autumn Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum sp. 'early' - Autumn Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum sp. 'early' - Scented Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum sp. Brookton Hwy - Rare Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum giganteum - Bronze Leek Orchid

The Bronze Leek Orchid (P. giganteum) and the Tall Leek Orchid (P. elatum) are very similar, distinguished mainly by the labellum. In the Bronze Leek Orchid, the inner part of the labellum is flattened and pointed, in P. elatum, it is more cupped and rounded on its top edge (see diagram).

Differences between the Tall Leek Orchid and the Bronze Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum giganteum - Bronze Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum gigateum - Bronze Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum elatum - Tall Leek Orchid

The Tall Leek Orchid is distinguished from the very similar Bronze Leek Orchid by the labellum, which has a more rounded tip both of the labellum itself and the labellum inner plate (see diagram). Despite its name, the Tall Leek Orchid is not the tallest of the leek orchids, being eclipsed by the King Leek Orchid, P. regium.

Prasophyllum elatum - Tall Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum macrotys - Inland Leek Orchid

The Inland Leek Orchid is much the same as the Tall Leek (P. elatum) and differs by having slightly smaller, darker flowers with a pinched tip to the labellum. As its name suggests, this orchid is found inland from the Tall Leek, mainly in the central wheatbelt. It is also similar to the Bronze Leek Orchid, differing in that the inner labellum plate does not have quite so pointed a tip.

Prasophyllum macrotys - Inland Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum regium - King Leek Orchid

The King Leek Orchid is the tallest of the leek orchids and can reach over 1.5 metres tall. It flowers late in the season, from November to December. It is distinguished by the large flowers with a dark coloured frilly labellum margin.

Prasophyllum regium - King Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum drummondii - Swamp Leek Orchid

The Swamp Leek Orchid does not require a burn and prefers winter wet areas. It grows up to 70cm tall and flowers from October to November.

Prasophyllum drummondii - Swamp Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum gracile - Little Laughing Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum macrostachyum - Laughing Leek Orchid

The smallest Leek Orchids, the Little Laughing Leek Orchid does not require a burn and is widely distributed over south west Western Australia. In drier areas it is is confined to areas receiving extra water such as granite outcrops. The Laughing Leek Orchid is similar but has slightly larger and darker flowers. It favours swampy or winter wet habitats.

Prasophyllum gracile - Little Laughing Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum macrostachyum - Laughing Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum hians - Yawning Laughing Leek Orchid

This dainty species flowers only after a hot summer burn (with occasional exceptions) and grows to 50cm tall.

Prasophyllum hians - Yawning Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum cyphochilum - Pouched Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum plumiforme - Dainty Leek Orchid

Three closely related species are the Pouched Leek Orchid, P. cyphochilum, the Dainty Leek Orchid, P. plumiforme and the Little Leek Orchid, P. ovale (not picture here). They are distinguished by distribution and flower colour and size. The Dainty Leek Orchid has smaller flowers and is found in sandy soil mainly on the coastal plain, while the Pouched Leek Orchid has larger (8mm) flowers and is found in winter wet areas in white gum areas.

Prasophyllum cyphochilum - Pouched Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum plumiforme - Dainty Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum gibbosum - Humped Leek Orchid

The Humped Leek Orchid is very similar to the Stout Leek Orchid and the Hooded Leek Orchid. It is identified by the frilly labellum edges, the late flowering period (Nov-Dec) and its preference for swampy habitat.

Prasophyllum gibbosum - Humped Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum sp. 'south coast' - Stout Leek Orchid

The Stout Leek Orchid has recently been recognised as distinct from the Humped Leek Orchid, P. gibbosum. It is distinguished by the straight labellum edges and earlier flowering period (Sep-Oct). Like the Humped Leek Orchid, this species is found in swampy areas and flowers only after hot summer fire.

Prasophyllum sp. 'south coast. - Stout Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum cucullatum - Hooded Leek Orchid

This orchid is very similar in appearance to the Humped Leek Orchid, P. gibbosum. It is distinguished mainly by its earlier flowering period (Sep-Oct) and its preference for soils on and around granite outcrops. It will flower in unburnt bushland, but flowers in greater profusion following summer fire.

Prasophyllum cucullatum - Hooded Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum sp. 'striped' - Striped Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum brownii - Christmas Leek Orchid

Distinguished by its striped petals and pale green colouring, the Christmas Leek Orchid flowers from November to December and can reach just over a metre in height. It only flowers after a burn (with the odd exception, of course!).

Prasophyllum brownii - Christmas Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum sargentii - Frilled Leek Orchid

The Frilled Leek Orchid will sometimes flower in unburnt bushland and reaches up to 60cm in height. Flowering occurs from August to October.

Prasophyllum sargentii - Frilled Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum triangulare - Dark Leek Orchid

The Dark Leek Orchid is a seldom seen species found mainly between August and Albany. The labellum is similar in appearence to that of the King Leek Orchid, Prasophyllum regium but the orchid is easily distinguished by the small size of the plants, which rarely grow taller than 40cm. The plants and flowers are dark brown in colour, hence the common name. The scientific name refers to the triangular shape of the labellum. The orchid can be found growing in small scattered colonies in well drained soils in burnt bushland.

Prasophyllum triangulare - Dark Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum fimbria - Fringed Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum parvifolium - Autumn Leek Orchid Prasophyllum sp. 'early' - Scented Leek Orchid Prasophyllum sp. 'Brookton Highway' - Rare Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum giganteum - Bronze Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum elatum - Tall Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum macrotys - Inland Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum regium - King Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum drummondii - Swamp Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum gracile - Little Laughing Leek Orchid Prasophyllum macrostachyum - Laughing Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum hians - Yawning Laughing Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum cyphochilum - Pouched Leek Orchid Prasophyllum plumiforme - Dainty Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum gibbosum - Humped Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum sp. 'south coast' - Stout Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum cucullatum - Hooded Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum brownii - Christmas Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum sargentii - Frilled Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum triangulare - Dark Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum parvifolium - Autumn Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum sp. 'early' - Scented Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum sp. 'Brookton Highway' - Rare Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum gracile - Little Laughing Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum macrostachyum - Laughing Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum cyphochilum - Pouched Leek Orchid
Prasophyllum plumiforme - Dainty Leek Orchid