Plump northern greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plump northern greenhood |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
crassichila
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The plump northern greenhood (scientific name: Pterostylis crassichila) is a special kind of orchid that only grows in Queensland, Australia. This plant is known for its unique white flower with green lines, which often has a reddish tip. It usually grows in the higher, cooler parts of northern Queensland.
About This Plant
The plump northern greenhood is a plant that lives on land, not in water. It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so its leaves fall off during certain seasons. This plant is a herb, which means it has soft stems instead of woody ones.
Under the ground, it has a special part called a tuber, which is like a small, round storage organ. At the base of the plant, there's a group of leaves arranged in a circle, like a rosette. These leaves are usually about 2 to 6 centimeters (0.8 to 2.4 inches) long and 1.5 to 2.3 centimeters (0.6 to 0.9 inches) wide.
The Flower
Each plant usually grows a single white flower on a tall stem that can be 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) high. The flower itself is about 2.5 to 3.2 centimeters (1 to 1.3 inches) long and 2 to 2.5 centimeters (0.8 to 1 inch) wide. It has green lines and a reddish-brown tip.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals are joined together. They form a hood-like shape, which is called a "galea." This galea covers the central part of the flower, known as the column. The dorsal sepal is about the same length as the petals.
There's a clear space between the galea and the two lower sepals, which are called the lateral sepals. These lateral sepals stand upright or bend backward. They have narrow tips that are about 2 to 2.5 centimeters (0.8 to 1 inch) long. Between these two lateral sepals, there's a noticeable bulge called a sinus.
The "lip" of the flower, called the labellum, is dark brown and curved. It's about 2 to 2.3 centimeters (0.8 to 0.9 inches) long and 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.2 inches) wide. This labellum sticks out above the sinus. You can usually see these beautiful flowers blooming from April to July.
Naming the Plant
How it Got its Name
The plump northern greenhood was officially described for the first time in 2006. This was done by a botanist named David Jones. He published his description in a scientific book called Australian Orchid Research, after studying a plant found near Herberton.
The second part of its scientific name, crassichila, helps us understand something about the plant. It comes from two old words: the Latin word crassus, which means "thick," and the Ancient Greek word cheilos, which means "lip." So, crassichila basically means "thick lip," referring to the flower's labellum.
Where it Lives
The plump northern greenhood grows in the Tablelands Region of northern Queensland. It likes to live in moist, protected spots within open forests. You can find it growing among grasses and small shrubs. These plants typically grow in areas that are higher than 800 meters (about 2,600 feet) above sea level.
