Pterostylis curta

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Blunt greenhood
Pterostylis curta 190303.jpg
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. curta
Binomial name
Pterostylis curta

Pterostylis curta, commonly known as the blunt greenhood, is a species of orchid found in south-eastern Australia, Lord Howe Island and New Caledonia. It has a rosette of leaves at its base and a single white and green, forward leaning flower with a brown tip and a twisted labellum.

Contents

Description

Pterostylis curta has a rosette of between two and six egg-shaped to elliptic leaves, each leaf 20–100 mm (0.8–4 in) long and 10–30 mm (0.4–1 in) wide. The leaves are dark green, have a distinct petiole and sometimes a wavy edge. A single white and green flower with a brown tip is borne on a flowering spike 100–300 mm (4–10 in) high, the flower leaning forwards. The flowers are 28–35 mm (1.1–1.4 in) long, 11–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused to form a hood or "galea" over the column. The dorsal sepal and petals are a similar length and end in a blunt tip. There is a wide gap at each side of the flower between the petals and lateral sepals. The lateral sepals are erect, about the same length as the galea, 10–18 mm (0.4–0.7 in) long and there is a broad V-shaped sinus between them. The labellum is 17–22 mm (0.7–0.9 in) long, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide, brown, twisted to one side and just visible above the sinus. Flowering occurs from July to October. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy and naming

Pterostylis curta was first described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen . [1] [6] The specific epithet (curta) means "short". [7]

Distribution and habitat

The blunt greenhood is widespread and common in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, growing in moist places in heath, scrub, woodland and forest. [2] [3] [4] [8] It also occurs on Lord Howe Island and in New Caledonia but is rare in South Australia. [5] [9] [10]

Use in horticulture

Pterostylis curta has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [11] It is easily grown in pots containing a free-draining, sandy mix. The plants require regular watering during their growing period, to be kept dry during dormancy and to be repotted annually. [12] [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>Pterostylis nutans</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis nutans, commonly known as the nodding greenhood or the parrot's beak orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to eastern Australia. Nodding greenhoods have flowers which "nod" or lean forwards strongly, have a deeply notched sinus and a curved, hairy labellum.

<i>Pterostylis grandiflora</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis grandiflora, commonly known as the cobra greenhood or superb greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. As with similar orchids, the flowering plants differ from those which are not flowering. The non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves but the flowering plants lack a rosette and have a single flower with leaves on the flowering spike. This greenhood has a green and white, striped flower with deep red-brown markings especially on its "galea", and a sharply pointed dorsal sepal.

<i>Pterostylis obtusa</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis obtusa, commonly known as the blunt-tongue greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to New South Wales. It is distinguished from similar greenhood orchids by its thick, flat, platform-like sinus and blunt labellum which is only just visible above the sinus.

<i>Pterostylis longifolia</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis longifolia, commonly known as the common leafy greenhood or tall greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. Flowering plants have up to seven flowers which are green, partly transparent and which have a labellum which is pale green and hairy with a blackish central stripe. Non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves but flowering plants lack the rosette, instead having five to eight stem leaves. A similar species, Pterostylis melagramma has paler green flowers which have a less hairy labellum.

<i>Pterostylis acuminata</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis acuminata, commonly known as the sharp greenhood or pointed greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has a rosette of leaves and a single green and white flower, leaning forward with a brown point on the end of the labellum.

<i>Pterostylis concinna</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis concinna, commonly known as the trim greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia and which usually grows in colonies. It has a rosette of leaves at the base and a single dark green, white and orange-red flower.

<i>Pterostylis cucullata</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis cucullata, commonly known as the leafy greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a rosette of fleshy leaves at its base and a single white, green and reddish-brown flower.

<i>Pterostylis foliata</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis foliata, commonly known as the slender greenhood, is a species of orchid widespread in south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. Flowering plants have a rosette of three to six, dark green, crinkled leaves crowded around the flowering stem and a single dark green and brown flower with a deep V-shaped sinus between the lateral sepals.

<i>Pterostylis mutica</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis mutica, commonly known as the midget greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Australia, occurring in all states but not the Northern Territory. There is a rosette of leaves at the base of the flowering stem and up to fifteen pale green flowers which have a sensitive labellum.

<i>Pterostylis nana</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis nana, commonly known as the dwarf snail orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to Australia. It has a rosette of leaves at it base and a single narrow, bright green and white flower with a small labellum. There is uncertainty about its classification - some sources include South Australia and Western Australia in its range.

<i>Pterostylis parviflora</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis parviflora, commonly known as the tiny greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. As with similar orchids, the flowering plants differ from those which are not flowering. The non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves but the flowering plants lack a rosette at the base but have up to eight tiny green, white and brown flowers.

<i>Pterostylis pedunculata</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis pedunculata, commonly known as the upright maroonhood, is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. Flowering plants have a rosette of two to six stalked leaves and a single green flower which is white near its base and tinged with reddish brown to black and with a gap between the petals and lateral sepals. It is common and widespread in a range of habitats.

<i>Pterostylis revoluta</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis revoluta, commonly known as the autumn greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. 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 the flowering plants have a single flower with leaves on the flowering spike. This greenhood has white and green flowers that have a long, curved, pointed labellum which extends beyond the sinus between the lateral sepals.

<i>Pterostylis squamata</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis squamata, commonly known as the southern rustyhood or ruddyhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. Flowering plants have up to ten translucent green flowers with reddish-brown markings and a hairy, insect-like labellum. Non-flowering plants have a rosette of four to eight egg-shaped leaves. This species is very similar to Pterostylis rufa which has a narrower labellum and other minor differences.

Pterostylis alata, commonly known as striped greenhood, 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 have a rosette of leaves but the flowering plants have a single flower with leaves on the flowering spike. This greenhood has a white flower with prominent dark green stripes and a sharply pointed, brown-tipped dorsal sepal. Similar greenhoods growing on the Australian mainland were formerly known as Pterostylis alata but are now given the name Pterostylis striata.

Pterostylis dubia, commonly known as the blue-tongued greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Tasmania. It has a rosette of fleshy leaves at its base and a dark green and white flower with narrow petals and a dark blue-green labellum.

<i>Pterostylis gibbosa</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis gibbosa, commonly known as the Illawarra rustyhood, or Illawarra greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to New South Wales. It has a rosette of leaves at its base and up to nine bright green flowers with translucent "windows", relatively wide lateral sepals with short-pointed tips and a dark, fleshy, insect-like labellum.

<i>Pterostylis ophioglossa</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis ophioglossa, commonly known as the snake-tongue greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It has a rosette of leaves at the base and a single dull green, white and brown flower with a deeply notched labellum.

<i>Pterostylis reflexa</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis reflexa, commonly known as the dainty greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to New South Wales. 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 the flowering plants have a single flower with leaves on the flowering stem. This greenhood has a relatively large white, green and light brown flower with a long, curved dorsal sepal and a protruding labellum.

<i>Pterostylis rufa</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis rufa, commonly known as the red rustyhood is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a rosette of leaves and up to fifteen bright reddish-brown flowers with translucent white "windows" and a dark brown, insect-like labellum. It occurs from southern Queensland to south-eastern South Australia.

References

  1. 1 2 "Pterostylis curta". APNI. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  2. 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. pp. 303–304. ISBN   978-1877069123.
  3. 1 2 Jones, David L. "Pterostylis curta". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: plantnet. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  4. 1 2 Jeanes, Jeff. "Pterostylis curta". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: vicflora. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Pterostylis curta". State Herbarium of South Australia: efloraSA. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  6. Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae. London. p. 326. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  7. Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 175. ISBN   9780958034180.
  8. Jones, David L. (1998). "Contributions to Tasmanian Orchidology 7:A Taxonomic Review of Pterostylis in Tasmania". Australian Orchid Research. 3: 142.
  9. "Greenhood orchid Pterostylis curta". Lord Howe Island Museum. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  10. "Pterostylis curta R.Br". Endemia New Caledonia. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  11. "Pterostylis curta". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  12. "Three Australian greenhood orchids for the windowsill: Pterostylis curta, nutans, and Nodding Grace". BotanyBoy Plant Encyclopedia. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  13. "Culture of fast multiplying (FM) terrestrial orchids". Native Orchid Society of South Australia. Retrieved 10 May 2017.