Dwarf greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dwarf greenhood |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
puberula
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| Synonyms | |
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Linguella puberula (Hook.f.) D.L.Jones, M.A.Clem & Molloy |
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The Pterostylis puberula, also known as the dwarf greenhood or snail greenhood, is a special type of orchid. This plant is found only in New Zealand. It has a group of pale yellowish leaves that grow in a circle, like a flower. Its flower is silvery-white and green. It also has long, upright parts called lateral sepals.
Contents
What is a Dwarf Greenhood?
The dwarf greenhood is a plant that grows on land. It lives for many years and loses its leaves each year. It has a special underground part called a tuber, which helps it store food.
Leaves and Stem
This orchid has many egg-shaped leaves. Each leaf is about 7 millimeters (less than half an inch) long and 5 millimeters wide. They grow on a small stalk about 5 to 7 millimeters long.
When the plant flowers, it has a similar group of leaves at the bottom of its stem. It also has one or two small leaves wrapped around the stem. The stem can grow up to 200 millimeters (about 8 inches) tall.
The Flower
The dwarf greenhood has a single silvery-white flower with light green stripes. The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals are joined together. They form a hood, which is also known as a "galea," over the central part of the flower (the column).
The galea is about 10 to 15 millimeters (less than an inch) tall. It stands straight up at first, then curves to be almost flat. The side parts of the flower, called lateral sepals, are joined near their bases. They almost close the front of the flower. Their thin, thread-like tips are much taller than the galea. The lip of the flower, called the labellum, cannot be seen from outside the closed flower.
Dwarf greenhoods usually bloom in September and October.
Where Does it Live?
The dwarf greenhood grows in scrubland, which is an area with small trees and bushes. It is found in different places on the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. It also lives on the Three Kings Islands. Recently, people have only seen this orchid on Great Barrier Island, at Surville Cliffs, and near Thames.
Protecting the Dwarf Greenhood
The dwarf greenhood is considered "threatened – nationally vulnerable" in New Zealand. This means it is a rare plant and needs help to survive. Efforts are being made to protect it so it can continue to grow in New Zealand.
