Orchids at the Vale of Belvoir
P. sphacelatum and P. tadgellianum are not usual topics for debate. But debate they caused - among our wonderful orchid experts who found both species at the Vale of Belvoir early in 2o11.
This specimen, along with many others, were found at the Vale by orchid enthusiast Danielle Madden-Hallett. The presence of Prasophyllum tadgellianum and the identification of Prasophyllum sphacelatum at the Vale has caused excitement and headaches among Orchid experts in Tasmania. Interestingly, identification of the critically endangered P. tadgellianum is not the cause of the headaches. It is the variation within what appears at this stage to be P. sphacelatum that is demanding their attention. Although no anomalies have yet been picked up, the experts say they have had difficulty idenitfying the species due to the diversity in flower structure found in specimens at the Vale. Danielle, along with expert, Mark Wapstra, agrees that more specimens are needed to confirm this identification. Perhaps it is a new species never yet recorded? We will have to wait and see.
[Caption:"Prasophyllum sphacelatum"]