About Pterostylis tasmanica D.L.Jones
Pterostylis tasmanica D.L.Jones is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. This species has between eight and fourteen dark green leaves, which are crowded around the base of the stem and extend upward. Individual leaves measure 10–25 millimetres (0.4–1 in) long and 3–7 millimetres (0.1–0.3 in) wide. Flowering plants produce a single green flower with translucent green panels, borne on a flowering stem 80–140 millimetres (3–6 in) high. The flower itself is 18–25 millimetres (0.7–1 in) long and 6–8 millimetres (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused to form a hood, called a "galea", that covers the column, and the dorsal sepal ends in a short point. The lateral sepals curve downward, are joined near their bases, and have tapering tips that are 7–11 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long. The labellum is 12–15 millimetres (0.5–0.6 in) long, has a beard of bright yellow hairs up to 3 millimetres (0.1 in) long, and ends in a dark brown knob. Flowering occurs from September to November. This orchid, commonly called the small bearded greenhood, grows in coastal heath and scrub. It is widespread in Tasmania, and also occurs on the south coast of New South Wales, southern Victoria, the south-east of South Australia, and on both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Ecologically, Pterostylis tasmanica is autogamous, and its ovary is already swollen when the flowers open.
