Black-tip greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-tip greenhood |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
bicolor
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The Pterostylis bicolor, also known as the black-tip greenhood, is a special type of orchid. It belongs to the Orchid family. This plant is found only in south-eastern Australia, meaning it is endemic there.
This orchid has a group of leaves that grow in a circle, like a rose, called a rosette. When it flowers, it produces three to ten bright green flowers. Each flower has a unique part called a labellum with a blunt, greenish-black tip. The black-tip greenhood looks a bit like the swan orchid (Pterostylis cycnocephala). However, the swan orchid has flowers that grow closer together and a labellum that looks more like a bird's beak.
Spotting the Black-tip Greenhood
The black-tip greenhood is a plant that grows from an underground tuber. It is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years and its leaves die back each year.
It has a rosette of five to twelve dark green leaves. Each leaf is about 10 to 35 millimeters (0.4 to 1.4 inches) long. They are also about 3 to 15 millimeters (0.1 to 0.6 inches) wide.
When the plant flowers, it sends up a tall stem. This stem can be 80 to 300 millimeters (3 to 12 inches) high. On this stem, you will see three to ten bright, shiny green flowers. These flowers are spaced out nicely. Each flower is about 8 to 11 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long and 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.20 inches) wide. There are also six to eleven leaves wrapped around the flowering stem.
The top part of the flower, made from the dorsal sepal and petals, forms a hood. This hood covers the central part of the flower, called the column. The lower parts of the flower, called the lateral sepals, point downwards. They are about 6 to 7 millimeters (0.24 to 0.28 inches) long. These sepals are joined together for most of their length and are shaped like a dish.
The labellum, which is a special lip-like petal, is egg-shaped. It is about 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) long and 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) wide. It has a greenish-black, blunt, and ridged tip that points forward. You can usually see these orchids flowering from August to November.
How It Got Its Name
The black-tip greenhood, Pterostylis bicolor, was officially described in 1987. This was done by two botanists, David Jones and Mark Clements. They published their description in a scientific journal called Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland.
The second part of its scientific name, bicolor, comes from a Latin word. It means "two-coloured," which likely refers to the green flower with its dark tip.
Where It Grows
The black-tip greenhood is found in many places across New South Wales. It also grows in a few scattered areas in Victoria. You can find this orchid growing in grassy woodlands and forests.
