Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Prasophyllum sandrae
Gazetted date:
06 Dec 2002
Profile last updated:
14 Oct 2024
Description
Majors Creek Leek Orchid reaches to 35 cm tall. Each plant produces a solitary tubular, fleshy leaf, growing to 35 cm tall. The flower spike emerges from a hole near the base of the leaf. The flower-spike, reaching to 12 cm tall, has between five and 25 pointed-petaled flowers. The flowers are marked with purple. Plants can be very cryptic when growing in small numbers and within tall grasses.
Distribution
Currently only known from one site at Majors Creek south of Braidwood.
Habitat and ecology
- Grows in the groundlayer of grassy woodland dominated by Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata).
- Grows within Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis) and poa tussocks (Poa spp.).
- Apparently highly susceptible to grazing, being retained only at a historically ungrazed site.
- Flowers from October to December.
- Flowers are followed by a fleshy seed capsule.
- Plants retreat into subterranean tubers after fruiting, so are not visible above-ground.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Previous threats appear to have been loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitat and populations to residential, infrastructure and agricultural developments.
- Current threats are inappropriate mowing regimes, especially if this occurs in spring and summer when above-ground parts are present.
- May be threatened by competition from other plant species (e.g. Kangaroo Grass, Snowgrass).
- May be threatened by inappropriate tree and shrub planting.
- Particularly vulnerable to chance extinctions because only one known population exists.
- Plants could be threatened by earthworks.
- Plants may be threatened by illegal collection.
- Plants may be threatened by trampling.
- Insufficient understanding of distribution.
- Insufficient understanding of taxonomy.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Protect known population from changes to management, including competition from planted trees and shrubs.
- Do not allow mowing or other disturbances when above-ground parts are present.
- Establish the most effective means of management of competing species (e.g. slashing at appropriate times, or patch burning).
- Monitor the known population to ensure that management is retaining population.
- Prepare and implement a management plan for the site; monitor the plan's outcomes and review and rewrite after 5 years.
- Mark site and potential habitat onto maps of the remnant site and surrounding locality to be used for management and planning.
- Search for new populations in potential habitat in the surrounding locality.
Information sources
- Jones, D.L. (2000) Ten new species of Prasophyllum R. Br. (Orchidaceae) from south-eastern Australia. The Orchadian 13, 149-173
- NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Prasophyllum sp. Majors Creek (a terrestrial orchid) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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