Pterostylis scabrida

Rough greenhood
Pterostylis scabrida growing near the Rapid River in Tasmania
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Monocots
Order:Asparagales
Family:Orchidaceae
Subfamily:Orchidoideae
Genus:Pterostylis
Species: P. scabrida
Binomial name
Pterostylis scabrida

Pterostylis scabrida, commonly known as the rough greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to Tasmania. It has a rosette of leaves at the base of the plant and a single green and white flower on a rough stem. It is widespread and common in wet forests and is one of the few species of Pterostylis to grow in rainforest.

Description

Pterostylis scabrida is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a rosette of dark green leaves loosely surrounding the base of the flowering stem. Each leaf is 30–60 mm long and 8–10 mm wide. A single green and white flower 20–25 mm long and 14–16 mm wide is borne on a rough flowering stem 80–250 mm high. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused, forming a hood or "galea" over the column. The dorsal sepal is the same length as the petals and curves forward with a pointed tip. There is a wide gap between the galea and the lateral sepals. The lateral sepals are erect and have thread-like tips 14–16 mm long and a slightly bulging, V-shaped notch sinus between them. The labellum is 12–15 mm long, about 3 mm wide, brown and curved and protrudes above the sinus. Flowering occurs from October to February.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Pterostylis scabrida was first formally described in 1840 by John Lindley and the description was published in his book, The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants.[1][4] The specific epithet (scabrida) is a Latin word meaning "rough" or "rugged".[5]

Distribution and habitat

The rough greenhood is widespread and common in wet forests, including rainforest, throughout Tasmania.[2][3][6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Pterostylis scabrida". APNI. Retrieved 27 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. p. 306. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. 1 2 Jones, David L. (1998). "Contributions to the Orchidology of Tasmania". Australian Orchid Research. 3: 151–152.
  4. ↑ Lindley, John (1840). The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants. London: Ridgways. p. 389. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  5. ↑ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 670.
  6. ↑ "Pterostylis". Trin Keys. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
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