Prasophyllum hectorii
Common name
Swamp leek orchid
Synonyms
Gastrodia hectorii Buchanan
Family
Orchidaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Orchids
Chromosome number
2n = 42
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.
2012 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: PD
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | At Risk – Relict | Qualifiers: CD, EF
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable
Distribution
Endemic. North and Chatham Islands. Formerly known in the North Island from Te Paki south to near Waiouru, and from one site on the main Chatham Island. Current records exist for Te Paki, the Waikato and Central Volcanic Plateau.
Habitat
Coastal to subalpine, in wetlands (0-1100m a.s.l.), and associated slow flowing streams. Usually found partially submerged in or at the margins of pools and streams, where the plants tubers may be seen floating just above the sediment. It is often associated with the sedge genera Baumea and Eleocharis (Cyperaceae) where it easily overlooked unless flowering.
Features
Stout orchid of wetlands. Plants sweetly scented, 0.15-1 m tall at flowering, Tuber ovoid usually paired with previous seasons tuber, roots few, stout, peg-like. Stem erect, fleshy, terete, dark green. Leaf solitary, usually overtopping raceme; lamina yellow-green to dark green, fleshy, terete, apex acute. Inflorescence a few to many flowered raceme. Flowers more or less evenly spaced, 10-80-flowered, fleshy-succulent. Perianth yellow, yellow-green to green. Dorsal sepal 6-8 mm, broad-ovate, concave; laterals somewhat longer, narrow-oblong, free to base, margins thin, apex often hooded, sometimes appearing bidentate. Petals slightly shorter, thinner. Labellum yellow, white or black, prominent, narrowed at base to a short, stout claw, ovate, sharply bent at a right angle halfway from base; margin undulate; callus confined to proximal tip. Lateral processes of column oblong, falcate, as tall as rostellum. Anther sessile, overtopped by rostellum. Stigma prominent.
Similar taxa
A distinctive species with a very specific habitat requirement, such that it rarely grows with other orchid species. It could be confused with some forms of Prasophyllum colensoi Hook.f. that sometimes grow in wetlands but these are usually much shorter plants, with fewer reddish coloured flowers. The callus of the labellum in P. colensoi extends the whole length, almost to the apex, whereas that of P. hectorii is confined to the proximal part.
Flowering
(November -) December - February
Flower colours
Green, Yellow
Fruiting
November - May
Propagation technique
Difficult. Should not be removed from the wild
Threats
This species has declined from most of its former coastal and lowland wetland haunts as a consequence of drainage, competition from weeds and on occasion excessive collection by botanists and plant collectors. Drainage is still the main threat to the majority of its remaining populations, several large ones of which are entirely on private land. Invasive weeds, particularly royal fern (Osmunda regalis) are a problem in the Waikato. Previously recorded as Prasophyllum aff. patens (AK 236408; New Zealand) by de Lange et al. (2004).
Etymology
prasophyllum: From the Greek ‘prasos’ leek and phyllos ‘leaf’
hectorii: Named after Sir James Hector, 19th century New Zealand geologist and botanist who was originally from Scotland
Where To Buy
Not commercially available
TAXONOMIC NOTES
Until recently Prasophyllum hectorii has been known in New Zealand as P. patens R.Br. which is an Australian endemic. New Zealand plants have also been referred to P. suttonii Rogers et B.Rees, another Australian endemic.
Recent molecular and morphological studies, as yet unpublished suggest that the two New Zealand Prasophyllum will need placing in another, as yet undescribed new genus (Peter Weston pers. comm. November 2014)
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 14 April 2007. Description adapted from Moore and Edgar (1970).
References and further reading
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D.; Johnson, P.N.; Hitchmough, R. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42: 45-76.
Moore, L.B.; Edgar, E. 1970: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. II. Government Printer, Wellington
Citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Prasophyllum hectorii Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/prasophyllum-hectorii/ (Date website was queried)