About Pterostylis nana R.Br.
Pterostylis nana R.Br. is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. It produces a rosette of egg-shaped to heart-shaped leaves, each measuring 5–20 mm long and 3–10 mm wide. A single bright green and white flower, 10–15 mm long and 4–5 mm wide, is carried on a stalk 50–150 mm high. The dorsal sepal is erect, roughly flat on top, and fused to the petals to form a hood called a "galea" that covers the column. The lateral sepals are erect, held in close contact with the galea, and taper to a thread-like tip about 20 mm long. The sinus between the two lateral sepals is roughly flat and has a dark green area at its center. The labellum is 3–5 mm long, about 2 mm wide, straight, blunt, and hidden inside the flower. Flowering takes place from July to October. The State Herbarium of South Australia records this species as present in South Australia and Western Australia. The Royal Botanic Garden Melbourne notes that the taxonomy of this species is currently under investigation. Commonly known as the dwarf snail orchid, it grows in a range of habitats from coastal heath to forest, mostly in sheltered sites. It occurs in New South Wales south of Taree, and is widespread across Victoria and Tasmania.
