Fisch's greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fisch's greenhood |
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| Pterostylis aestiva growing in Cathedral Rock National Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
fischii
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| Synonyms | |
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Diplodium fischii (Nicholls) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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Fisch's greenhood is a special type of orchid that grows only in south-eastern Australia. Its scientific name is Pterostylis fischii.
These orchids look different depending on whether they are flowering or not. When they are not flowering, they have a group of leaves that lie flat on the ground, like a circle. But when they are ready to flower, a single flower grows on a tall stem, with leaves along the stem.
Fisch's greenhood has flowers that are a brownish-orange color. The top part of the flower (called the dorsal sepal) has a long, thin tip. Inside the flower, there's a special lip (called a labellum) that is usually hidden.
What Fisch's Greenhood Looks Like
Fisch's greenhood is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so some parts die back each year.
When the plant is not flowering, it has a group of egg-shaped leaves. Each leaf is about 5 to 18 millimeters long and 6 to 12 millimeters wide.
When it flowers, a single flower grows on a stem that is 150 to 250 millimeters tall. This stem also has three to five leaves wrapped around it. The flowers are a mix of green, white, and brown.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, joins with the petals to form a hood. This hood covers the central part of the flower. The dorsal sepal curves forward and has a thread-like tip that is 5 to 15 millimeters long.
The side parts of the flower (lateral sepals) stay close to the hood. They also have long, thread-like tips, about 15 to 30 millimeters long. The labellum, which is the lip of the flower, is dark brown and about 8 to 9 millimeters long. You usually can't see it when the flower is fully formed.
Fisch's greenhood flowers between February and May.
How Fisch's Greenhood Got Its Name
The scientific name Pterostylis fischii was first officially written down in 1950. This was done by a person named William Nicholls. He found a sample of the plant near Woodside.
The name fischii was chosen to honor the Fisch family from Doncaster. They were the ones who first discovered this type of orchid in 1949.
Where Fisch's Greenhood Grows
Fisch's greenhood likes to grow among grasses and small bushes. You can find it in woodlands and forests.
It mainly grows in the highlands of New South Wales, starting from the New England National Park in the south. It's also found, though less commonly, in eastern Victoria and southern Queensland.
