About Pterostylis cycnocephala Fitzg.
Pterostylis cycnocephala Fitzg. is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. It produces a rosette of six to twelve dark green leaves at the base of its flowering spike; each leaf measures 12–35 mm (0.5–1 in) long and 8–15 mm (0.3–0.6 in) wide. A single flowering spike between 80–300 mm (3–10 in) tall bears up to 24 shiny green flowers, each 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and around 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. Three to six stem leaves wrap around the flowering spike. The dorsal sepal and petals form a hood, called a "galea", that covers the column. The dorsal sepal is blunt, curved downwards, and has its edges turned down. The lateral sepals turn downwards, measure about 6 mm (0.2 in) long and 5 mm (0.2 in) wide, are dished, and are joined together for most of their length. The labellum is rectangular, about 2 mm (0.08 in) long, whitish-green, and has a dark green, beak-shaped appendage that points forward from its base. Flowering takes place from August to December. This species, commonly known as the swan greenhood, is common and widespread. It ranges from the Darling Downs in Queensland, through New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, to Tasmania, and grows mostly in grassy areas.
