Enigmatic greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Enigmatic greenhood |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
aenigma
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| Synonyms | |
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Pterostylis x aenigma D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The enigmatic greenhood (scientific name: Pterostylis aenigma) is a special type of orchid. It only grows in Victoria, which means it's endemic there. This plant has a group of leaves that look like a rose, and it grows a single green and white flower. The flower leans forward and has a brownish tip.
It's a very rare orchid, found in only one place with fewer than 100 plants. Scientists think it might be a natural mix of two other orchid species.
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What Does the Enigmatic Greenhood Look Like?
The enigmatic greenhood has a group of leaves called a rosette. There are usually three to eight dark green, thick, flat leaves. Each leaf is about 40 to 60 millimeters (1.6 to 2.4 inches) long. They are also about 15 to 18 millimeters (0.6 to 0.7 inches) wide.
A single green and white flower grows on a tall stem. This stem can be 150 to 300 millimeters (6 to 12 inches) high. The flowers are about 40 to 45 millimeters (1.6 to 1.8 inches) long. They are also about 14 to 18 millimeters (0.6 to 0.7 inches) wide and lean forward.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, joins with the petals. Together, they form a hood that curves over the flower's central part, called the column. The dorsal sepal is longer than the petals and has a pointed, brownish tip.
There's a small dip between the lower parts of the flower, called the lateral sepals. These sepals are olive brown and have thin, thread-like tips. These tips are about 25 to 35 millimeters (1.0 to 1.4 inches) long. A part called the labellum sticks out from the flower. It is dark brown, curved, and about 18 to 21 millimeters (0.7 to 0.8 inches) long. It's also about 4 millimeters (0.2 inches) wide.
This orchid usually blooms between November and December.
How the Enigmatic Greenhood Got Its Name
Pterostylis aenigma was first officially described in 1993. Two botanists, David Jones and Mark Clements, described it. They found a sample of the plant near a place called Omeo in Victoria.
They wrote about their discovery in a scientific journal called Muelleria. The scientists thought this orchid might be a natural hybrid. This means it could be a mix of two other orchid species: Pterostylis cucullata and Pterostylis falcata. Both of these species grow nearby.
The word aenigma in the orchid's scientific name is a Latin word. It means "obscure, puzzling, or baffling." This name was chosen because the way this orchid grows and its family tree were quite puzzling to the scientists.
Where Does the Enigmatic Greenhood Live?
The enigmatic greenhood likes to grow in wet areas. You can find it near streams in open forests. It grows at an altitude of about 950 meters (3,100 feet) above sea level. All known plants are found near Omeo in Victoria.
Protecting the Enigmatic Greenhood
This orchid is very rare and needs protection. In 2003, about 50 plants were known to exist. However, by 2005, only five plants could be found.
The population of this orchid lives inside the Alpine National Park. Even though it's in a protected park, it still faces threats. These threats include animals eating the plants (grazing), unwanted plants (weeds) growing nearby, and damage to its habitat.
The Victorian Government has listed the enigmatic greenhood as "Endangered." The Australian Government also lists it as "Endangered" (EN) under a law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Because it's so rare, a special plan has been made to help it recover and survive.
