Liawenee greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Liawenee greenhood |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
|
| Species: |
pratensis
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Pterostylis pratensis, also known as the Liawenee greenhood, is a special plant. It belongs to the orchid family and is only found in Tasmania, Australia.
Both the flowering and non-flowering plants have a circle of leaves. These leaves lie flat on the ground. When it flowers, this orchid can have up to twelve white flowers. Each flower has clear green stripes. This greenhood orchid grows in open, grassy areas high up in the mountains.
Contents
About the Liawenee Greenhood
The Liawenee greenhood is a plant that grows from the ground. It lives for many years and has an underground storage part called a tuber. Each year, it loses its leaves and then grows new ones.
It has a circle of four to eight egg-shaped leaves. Each leaf is about 25 to 35 mm (1 to 1.4 in) long. They are also about 14 to 22 mm (0.6 to 0.9 in) wide. These leaves lie flat on the ground.
The plant produces a flowering stem that is 70 to 150 mm (3 to 6 in) tall. This stem holds between two and twelve flowers. There are also two to six leaves wrapped around the stem.
Flower Details
The flowers are white with bright green stripes. They are about 7 to 9 mm (0.3 to 0.4 in) long. They are also about 5 mm (0.2 in) wide.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, joins with the petals. Together, they form a hood over the central part of the flower. This hood is called the "galea." The dorsal sepal curves gently. It then suddenly bends downwards near its tip.
The side parts of the flower, called lateral sepals, point downwards. They are about 7 mm (0.3 in) long and 5 mm (0.2 in) wide. They are cupped and have short tips. These tips are about 3 mm (0.1 in) apart.
The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.1 in) long. It is also about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. It is whitish-green and has a dark green, beak-like end. This orchid flowers from November to December.
Naming the Liawenee Greenhood
The Liawenee greenhood was first officially named Pterostylis pratensis in 1998. David Jones described it. He found a sample near Great Lake. The description was published in a book called Australian Orchid Research.
The second part of its scientific name, pratensis, is a Latin word. It means "found in meadows." This name refers to the high, grassy places where this greenhood grows.
Where it Lives
The Liawenee greenhood grows in grassy areas. These areas have a type of grass called Poa labillardierei tussock grassland. It grows at high altitudes, between 850 and 1100 meters (2,790 and 3,610 ft). You can find it in open spots on the Central Plateau in Tasmania.
Protecting the Liawenee Greenhood
The Pterostylis pratensis is listed as "vulnerable." This means it is at risk of disappearing. Both the Australian Government and the Tasmanian Government protect it.
There are eleven known groups of these orchids. However, only two of these groups are in protected areas. In 2008, experts thought there were at least 600 plants.
Some things threaten this orchid. These include animals eating the plants. Farming activities and adding chemicals to the soil also cause problems.
