Pterostylis ventricosa

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Pterostylis ventricosa
Pterostylis ventricosa.jpg
Pterostylis ventricosa growing near Jervis Bay
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Cranichideae
Genus: Pterostylis
Species:
P. ventricosa
Binomial name
Pterostylis ventricosa
Synonyms [1]

Speculantha ventricosaD.L.Jones

Pterostylis ventricosa is a recently described, critically endangered species of orchid that is endemic to a small area of New South Wales. As with similar orchids, the flowering plants differ from those that 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 six tiny green, white and brown flowers.

Contents

Description

Pterostylis ventricosa is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and when not flowering, a rosette of four to nine dark green, egg-shaped leaves which lie flat on the ground. Each leaf is 3–12 mm (0.1–0.5 in) long and 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. Flowering plants have up to six well-spaced flowers 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and about 5 mm (0.2 in) wide borne on a thin, wiry spike 80–300 mm (3–10 in) high. One or two leaf rosettes are arranged on the side of the flowering spike. The flowers are green and white, swollen at the base and taper towards a bright reddish-brown tip. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused, forming a hood or "galea" over the column. The dorsal sepal is erect near the base but then curves forward and is 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The petals are slightly longer than the dorsal sepal. The lateral sepals are erect, held closely against the galea with thread-like tips about 3mm long reaching just past the top of the galea. The labellum is about 5 mm (0.2 in) long, 2 mm (0.08 in) wide, dark brown and white, curved and barely visible above the sinus. [2] [3]

Taxonomy and naming

This greenhood was first formally described in 2008 by D.L.Jones who gave it the name Speculantha ventricosa and published the description in The Orchadian. [4] In 2010, Gary Backhouse changed the name to Pterostylis ventricosa. [5] The specific epithet (ventricosa) mean "swollen", especially to one side. [6]

Distribution and habitat

This tiny greenhood mostly grows in tall forest with a dense understorey, but sometimes in disturbed areas, including roadsides. It occurs near Nowra, Tallong, Mittagong, [2] [3] in the Jervis Bay area, Shoalhaven and (discovered in May 2021) in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. [7]

Ecology

While the exact processes are not clear, this orchid has a relationship with fungi in the soil (hence does well after wet weather), and it is thought that they could play a role in the ecosystem with insects and other pollinators. [7]

Conservation

Pterostylis ventricosa is classed as "critically endangered" under the New South Wales Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 , the successor to the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 . The main threats to the species are land clearing, disturbance by off-road vehicles, grazing by livestock and illegal collection. [2] [3]

The find of approximately about 170 plants in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales excited scientists, as they had previously only been found closer to the coast and not at such elevations. [7] A spokesperson said that the find demonstrated that the New South Wales Government’s "Saving our Species" (SoS) program (which commits to increasing the number of threatened species that are secure in the wild in NSW for 100 years) was having a positive effect on biodiversity. [8]

Related Research Articles

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

Pterostylis coccina, commonly known as the scarlet greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to 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. In this species, the rosette leaves are relatively large and dark green, and the flowers are white, and bluish-green or red. It grows in New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria.

<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 fischii</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis fischii, commonly known as Fisch's 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 tawny-coloured flowers, a dorsal sepal with a long thread-like tip and a labellum which is hidden inside the flower.

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

Pterostylis atrans, commonly known as the dark-tip greenhood or blunt-tongue greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. As with similar greenhoods, plants in flower differ from those that are not flowering. The non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves flat on the ground, but the plants in flower have a single flower with leaves on the flowering spike. In this species, the flower is green and reddish brown with a protruding sinus and small club-like tips on the ends of the lateral sepals.

<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 aneba</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis aneba is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a recently described and poorly-known greenhood similar to Pterostylis alpina and P. monticola. It has a rosette of fleshy leaves at the base of the plant and a single green and white flower. It grows in alpine and sub-alpine habitats.

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

Pterostylis laxa, commonly known as the antelope 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 green and white flowers with darker green or brown markings and a dorsal sepal with a long thread-like tip.

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

Pterostylis longipetala, commonly known as the curved greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to 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 dark green, brown and white flowers which lean slightly forwards and have sharply-pointed petals and a long, curved labellum.

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

Pterostylis multiflora, commonly known as the tall tiny greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. As with similar orchids, plants in flower differ from those that are not. Those not in flower have a rosette of leaves lying flat on the ground. Plants in flower lack a rosette but have up to twenty tiny green, white, and brown flowers in summer. The flowering stem has up to six stem leaves.

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

Pterostylis striata, commonly known as the mainland striped greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern mainland 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 have a single flower with leaves on the flowering spike. This greenhood has a white flower with prominent dark green stripes and a brown-tipped dorsal sepal with a thread-like tip. Mainland striped greenhoods were formerly described as Pterostylis alata but that species is now recognised as a Tasmanian endemic.

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

Pterostylis rubescens, commonly known as the blushing 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 and have up to eighteen tiny green, white and brownish flowers.

Pterostylis bryophila, commonly known as the Hindmarsh Valley greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to South Australia. As with similar greenhoods, plants in flower differ from those that are not. In this species, plants not in flower have a rosette of leaves lying flat on the ground, but those in flower have a single small, shiny, bright green and white flower with a protruding, platform-like sinus between the lateral sepals.

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

Pterostylis elegans, commonly known as the elegant greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to New South Wales. Non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves flat on the ground but flowering plants have a single translucent white and dark green flower with reddish-brown markings near the tip.

Pterostylis nigricans, commonly known as the dark greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to 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 six tiny green, white and brown flowers which have a rough texture.

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

Pterostylis pulchella, commonly known as the waterfall greenhood, escarpment greenhood or pretty greenhood is a species of orchid endemic to New South Wales. As with similar greenhoods, the flowering plants differ from those that 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 reddish-brown flower with a greenish-white base and protruding labellum with a cleft tip.

<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.

Pterostylis riparia, commonly known as the streamside greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to New South Wales. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a rosette of dark green, fleshy leaves. Flowering plants have a single, relatively large green, white and reddish-brown flower with a deeply notched sinus between hairy lateral sepals.

Pterostylis saxicola, commonly known as the Sydney plains rustyhood, or Sydney plains 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 ten reddish-brown flowers with translucent "windows", relatively wide lateral sepals with short-pointed tips and a dark brown, fleshy, insect-like labellum.

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

Pterostylis vernalis, commonly known as the spring tiny greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to New South Wales. As with similar orchids, the flowering plants differ from those that are not currently flowering. Non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves at the base. Flowering plants lack that rosette, but have one or two rosettes on lateral growths. The flowers are green, brown and white. This greenhood is only known from a small area near Nowra.

Pterostylis rubiginosa is a species of orchid endemic to northeastern New South Wales. Flowering and non-flowering plants have a rosette of leaves that is withered by the time flowering occurs. Flowering plants have up to seven white flowers with rusty brown stripes, on a wiry flowering stem.

References

  1. 1 2 "Pterostylis ventricosa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Pterostylis ventricosa an orchid - critically endangered species listing". Government of New South Wales, Office of the Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "Pterostylis ventricosa - profile". Government of New South Wales, Office of the Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  4. ↑ "Speculantha ventricosa". APNI. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  5. ↑ "Pterostylis ventricosa". APNI. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  6. ↑ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 334. ISBN   9780958034180.
  7. 1 2 3 Huntsdale, Justin (13 May 2021). "Rare, critically endangered orchids discovered in NSW Southern Highlands after wet summer". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  8. ↑ "Record number of threatened orchid sites found in southern NSW". Mirage News. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
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