Striped greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Striped greenhood |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
alata
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The Pterostylis alata, often called the striped greenhood, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in Tasmania, an island south of Australia. This means it is endemic to Tasmania.
Like many orchids, the striped greenhood looks different when it is flowering compared to when it is not. If it's not flowering, you'll see a group of leaves shaped like a rosette. When it flowers, it grows a single flower on a tall stem with leaves on the stem itself.
The flower of this greenhood is white. It has clear, dark green stripes. It also has a pointy, brown-tipped part called a sepal at the top. Other similar greenhoods found on the Australian mainland used to be called Pterostylis alata. But now they have their own name, Pterostylis striata.
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What Does the Striped Greenhood Look Like?
The striped greenhood is a plant that grows from an underground tuber. This tuber helps it survive through different seasons. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also a deciduous herb, so its leaves might fall off at certain times.
Leaves and Plant Structure
When the plant is not flowering, it has a rosette of dark green, crinkly leaves. These leaves are about 4 to 20 millimeters (0.16 to 0.79 inches) long. They are also about 3 to 12 millimeters (0.12 to 0.47 inches) wide.
The Flower
Flowering plants grow a single flower on a stem that can be 80 to 250 millimeters (3.1 to 9.8 inches) tall. The flower itself is about 17 to 21 millimeters (0.67 to 0.83 inches) long. It is also about 6 to 7 millimeters (0.24 to 0.28 inches) wide.
The flowers are white with dark green stripes. The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, joins with the petals. Together, they form a hood-like shape over the column of the flower. This top sepal curves forward and has a narrow point. This point is about 2 to 5 millimeters (0.079 to 0.197 inches) long and is brownish near its tip.
The side sepals are held close to the hood. They have long, thread-like tips that are 23 to 27 millimeters (0.91 to 1.06 inches) long. There is a wide V-shape where their bases meet. The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is 10 to 12 millimeters (0.39 to 0.47 inches) long and about 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) wide. It is brown, curved, and sticks out above the V-shape of the sepals.
When Does it Flower?
You can usually see the striped greenhood flowering from May to August. However, it flowers most often in June and July.
Where Does the Striped Greenhood Live?
The Pterostylis alata orchid grows in open forests. It also likes coastal scrub areas in Tasmania. Remember, this specific orchid only grows in Tasmania. Other similar plants on the Australian mainland are now known by a different name, Pterostylis striata.
How Was the Striped Greenhood Named?
The striped greenhood was first officially described in 1806. A scientist named Jacques Labillardière gave it the name Disperis alata. He wrote about it in his book, Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen. He found the plant when he was in "Van-Diemen's Land," which is what Tasmania was called back then.
Later, in 1871, another scientist named Heinrich Reichenbach changed its name to Pterostylis alata. The word alata comes from Latin. It means "winged," which might describe a feature of the flower.
