Pterostylis atriola

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Snug greenhood
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Cranichideae
Genus: Pterostylis
Species:
P. atriola
Binomial name
Pterostylis atriola
Synonyms [1]

Speculantha atriola(D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.

Contents

Pterostylis atriola, commonly known as the Snug greenhood, [2] is a species of orchid endemic to Tasmania. As with similar orchids, the flowering plants differ from those which are not flowering. The non-flowering plants only have a rosette of leaves but the flowering plants have one or two rosettes on growths from the base and up to ten small, dark green, white and brown flowers on a relatively tall flowering spike. It is a rare species, only known from four widely separated populations.

Description

Pterostylis atriola is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and when not flowering, a rosette of three to six egg-shaped leaves 5–14 mm (0.2–0.6 in) long and 4–9 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide. Flowering plants have up to ten well-spaced flowers about 9 mm (0.4 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide borne on a flowering spike 150–350 mm (6–10 in) high. There are three to five stem leaves 10–16 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long wrapped around the flower spike. The flowers are dark green and white, brown near the tip with two to four flowers are open at any time. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused, forming a hood or "galea" over the column. The dorsal sepal curves forward and has a short point. The lateral sepals are erect, held closely against the galea with thread-like tips about 3mm long which barely project above the galea. The sinus between the bases of the lateral sepals is flat and the opening in front of the flower is only about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide. The labellum is about 3 mm (0.1 in) long and is not visible from outside the intact flower. Flowering occurs from January to April. [2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

Pterostylis atriola was first formally described in 1998 by David Jones and the description was published in the Australian Orchid Research from a specimen collected on the plains near Snug. [5] [4] The specific epithet (atriola) is from the Latin atriolum, 'small room', 'hall' or 'vestibule', and refers to the small opening in the front of the flower. [4]

Distribution and habitat

The Snug greenhood usually grows in stony places in dry forest with scattered shrubs. It occurs in Tasmania in separated locations from areas near the coast to altitudes of 600 m (2,000 ft). [2] [3] [4]

Conservation

Pterostylis atriola was previously listed as "endangered" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 . When the species was first described, the population was estimated to be about 100 individuals, but was subsequently raised to about 1,000 when more populations were discovered. It is listed as "rare" under the Tasmanian Government Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 . [2] [6]

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Pterostylis aphylla, commonly known as the leafless greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to Tasmania. As with similar greenhoods, the flowering plants differ from those which are not flowering. The non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves flat on the ground but in this species, the flowering plants have a single green and white flower with a brown tip and lack leaves apart from a few small scales.

Pterostylis commutata, commonly known as the midland rustyhood is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. It has a rosette of leaves near its base and up to five translucent white and green flowers with a hairy, insect-like labellum. It is only found in a small area near Tunbridge and Ross.

Pterostylis lepida, commonly known as the Halbury greenhood is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to South Australia. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves. Flowering plants have up to ten green flowers with brown and translucent striations and a small, insect-like labellum. It is only known from two small populations.

Pterostylis pratensis, commonly known as the Liawenee greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves lying flat on the ground. Flowering plants have up to twelve crowded white flowers with prominent green stripes. This greenhood only grows in low, exposed subalpine tussock grassland.

Pterostylis rubenachii, commonly known as the Arthur River greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves lying flat on the ground and flowering plants have up to seven crowded, transparent green flowers with darker green stripes.

Pterostylis uliginosa, commonly known as the marsh greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. As with similar orchids, flowering plants differ from non-flowering. The non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves. The flowering plants lack a rosette at the base but have up to three rosettes on lateral growths and up to seven small green and white flowers. This species only grows in wet places, usually where there is free water. There are usually only two or three flowers per plant, and only one or two open at a time.

Pterostylis wapstrarum, commonly known as the fleshy greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves lying flat on the ground and flowering plants have up to fifteen crowded green flowers with darker green veins.

Pterostylis ziegeleri, commonly known as the Cape Portland greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves lying flat on the ground and flowering plants have up to eight crowded translucent, pale green flowers with darker green veins.

References

  1. 1 2 "Pterostylis atriola". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Pterostylis atriola - Threatened species listing statement". Tasmanian Government Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  3. 1 2 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 310. ISBN   978-1877069123.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Jones, David L. (1998). "Contributions to Tasmanian Orchidology". Australian Orchid Research. 3: 140–141.
  5. "Pterostylis atriola". APNI. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  6. "Advice to the Minister for the Environment from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) on amendment to the list of Threatened Species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved 17 June 2017.