Prawn greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prawn greenhood |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Pterostylis pedoglossa growing in Ben Boyd National Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
|
| Species: |
pedoglossa
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The prawn greenhood (scientific name: Pterostylis pedoglossa) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in south-eastern Australia, meaning it is endemic to that area. This plant has a group of leaves that look like a rosette at its base. When it flowers, it produces a single white bloom with green stripes. Sometimes, the tip of the flower might have a brownish color. A unique part of this orchid is its long, thin, thread-like labellum, which is a special lip-like petal.
Contents
What Does the Prawn Greenhood Look Like?
The prawn greenhood is a terrestrial plant, meaning it grows in the ground. It's a perennial herb, so it lives for more than two years. Each year, its leaves fall off, making it deciduous. This plant has an underground tuber, which is like a storage organ.
Leaves and Flowers
At the base of the plant, you'll find a rosette of egg-shaped leaves. These leaves are usually greyish-green and measure about 5 to 25 millimeters long and 4 to 20 millimeters wide.
When the plant flowers, a single bloom appears on a stem that can be 60 to 150 millimeters tall. The flower itself is about 15 to 20 millimeters long and 5 to 6 millimeters wide. It's mostly white with green stripes, and sometimes the tip has a brown shade.
Flower Parts Explained
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, joins with the petals to form a hood. This hood, known as a "galea," covers the column, which is the central part of the orchid. The tip of this dorsal sepal is long and thread-like, measuring 10 to 25 millimeters.
The lateral sepals are the side parts of the flower. They stay close to the galea and also have an upright, thread-like tip, which is even longer, from 15 to 30 millimeters. There's a V-shaped dip, called a sinus, between the bases of these sepals.
The labellum (the lip) is about 4 millimeters long and 2 millimeters wide. It's greenish, thick, and straight. You usually can't see the labellum from outside the flower.
When Does it Bloom?
Prawn greenhoods typically bloom during the autumn months, from March to June.
How Was the Prawn Greenhood Named?
The prawn greenhood was first officially described in 1877. This description was made by a botanist named Robert D. FitzGerald. He found a specimen of this orchid near a place called Long Bay. FitzGerald published his description in his famous book, Australian Orchids.
Where Does the Prawn Greenhood Grow?
You can find the prawn greenhood growing in areas near the coast. It prefers heathland habitats. Its range stretches from Sydney in New South Wales all the way down to Melbourne in Victoria. It also grows on the island of Tasmania.
