Pterostylis xerophila

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Desert greenhood
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. xerophila
Binomial name
Pterostylis xerophila
Synonyms [2]

Oligochaetochilus xerophilus(M.A.Clem.) Szlach.

Pterostylis xerophila, commonly known as the desert greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to South Australia. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a relatively large rosette of leaves. Flowering plants also have up to eight translucent white, green and reddish-brown flowers with an insect-like labellum.

Contents

Description

Pterostylis xerophila is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a rosette of between three and ten leaves. The leaves are 10–30 mm (0.4–1 in) long and 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. Flowering plants have a rosette at the base of the flowering stem but the leaves are usually withered by flowering time. Up to eight white, green and reddish-brown flowers 25–30 mm (0.98–1.2 in) long and 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 60–200 mm (2–8 in) tall. The dorsal sepal and petals form a hood or "galea" over the column with the dorsal sepal having a narrow, upturned tip 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. The lateral sepals turn downwards, are wider than the galea, dished, and suddenly taper to narrow tips 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long. The labellum is insect-like, about 4 mm (0.2 in) long, 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide with a thin "body" and a thickened "head" end. Each side of the labellum has four to six forward-pointing bristles up to 3 mm (0.1 in) long. Flowering occurs from September to November. [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

Pterostylis xerophila was first formally described in 1986 by Mark Clements from a specimen grown in Adelaide from material collected in the Great Victoria Desert. The description was published in the fourth edition of the Flora of South Australia. [1] The specific epithet (xerophila) is derived from the Ancient Greek words ξερός (xeros), meaning “dry” [5] : 285  and φίλος (phílos), meaning "dear one" or "friend". [5] : 355 

Its common name as listed on the Commonwealth's SPRAT database is desert greenhood. [6]

Distribution and habitat

The desert greenhood usually grows in granite or quartzite rock outcrops in areas receiving an average annual rainfall of less than 200 mm (8 in), in and near the Great Victoria Desert. [3] [4]

Conservation

Pterostylis xerophila is classified as "vulnerable" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the South Australian Government National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 . Little is known about the threats to this greenhood but include grazing by feral rabbits and goats, weed invasion, accidental destruction by vehicle movement and inappropriate fire regimes. [7] [6]

Related Research Articles

<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 lingua</i> Species of orchid

Pterostylis lingua, commonly known as the large-lipped 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 ten dark reddish-brown flowers with translucent "windows" and a blackish, insect-like labellum.

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

Pterostylis ventricosa, commonly known as the pot-bellied greenhood orchid, is a recently described and critically endangered species of orchid endemic to a small area of New South Wales, 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.

Pterostylis arenicola, commonly known as the sandhill rustyhood is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to South Australia. It has a rosette of leaves near its base and up to ten reddish-brown and white flowers with a dark brown, insect-like labellum. Its distribution is now restricted to areas around Lake Alexandrina.

Pterostylis ciliata, commonly known as the hairy rufous greenhood, tall rusthood or hairy rustyhood is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a relatively large rosette of leaves at its base and up to eight or more green and brown flowers which lean forward and have a small, fleshy, insect-like labellum covered with hairs.

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.

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

Pterostylis concava, commonly known as the pouched greenhood or cupped banded greenhood, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. The plants either have a rosette of leaves in the years when not flowering or stem leaves on a flowering spike. When flowering, it has up to ten or more flowers which are dark reddish-brown, sometimes green and white with deeply cupped lateral sepals. It is an uncommon orchid, mostly found between Bindoon and Mount Barker.

Pterostylis frenchii, commonly known as the tuart rufous greenhood, or tuart rustyhood is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a relatively large rosette of leaves. Flowering plants also have up to twelve white and green or white and brown flowers which lean forward and have a small, fleshy, insect-like 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.

Pterostylis insectifera, commonly known as the insect-lipped rufous greenhood, or leaden rustyhood is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a relatively large rosette of leaves. Flowering plants have a similar rosette and up to eight or more flowers which have long, stiffly-held lateral sepals and a protruding, insect-like labellum.

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.

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

Pterostylis leptochila, commonly known as the Ravensthorpe rufous greenhood or narrow-lipped rustyhood is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a relatively large rosette of leaves. Flowering plants also have up to five large translucent white flowers with olive green and brown lines and markings and a narrow, insect-like labellum.

Pterostylis picta, commonly known as the painted rufous greenhood or painted rustyhood is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a relatively large rosette of leaves. Flowering plants also have up to seven large translucent white flowers with green and brown stripes and markings and a fleshy, insect-like labellum.

<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.

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

Pterostylis roensis, commonly known as the painted rufous greenhood or dark rustyhood is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a relatively large rosette of leaves. Flowering plants also have up to six green or brown to blackish flowers with translucent white panels and a dark brown, fleshy, insect-like labellum.

Pterostylis rogersii, commonly known as the curled-tongue shell orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western 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 usually has a white and reddish-brown striped flower with a long, curved labellum and is found along the south coast between Binningup and Esperance.

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.

Pterostylis spathulata, commonly known as the spoon-lipped rufous greenhood or Moora rustyhood is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a relatively large rosette of leaves. Flowering plants also have up to ten or more white and green or brown flowers with fine, upturned tips on the lateral sepals and a spoon-shaped, insect-like labellum.

Pterostylis stricta, commonly known as the northern greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to Queensland. It has a rosette of leaves and when flowering a single translucent white flower with green lines, a reddish-brown tip and a curved, protruding labellum.

References

  1. 1 2 "Pterostylis xerophila". APNI. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  2. ↑ "Pterostylis xerophila". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. 1 2 "Pterostylis xerophila". State Herbarium of South Australia; eflora SA. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  4. 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. 331. ISBN   978-1877069123.
  5. 1 2 Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  6. 1 2 "Pterostylis xerophila –Desert Greenhood". Species Profile and Threats Database. Australian Government. Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  7. ↑ Duncan, Mike. "National Recovery Plan for the desert greenhood Pterostylis xerophila" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
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