Shy greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shy greenhood |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
allantoidea
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The shy greenhood (Pterostylis allantoidea) is a special type of orchid. It is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This unique plant has a group of leaves that look like a circle at its base. It also grows a single white flower with stripes that can be green or reddish-brown.
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About the Shy Greenhood
The shy greenhood is a plant that grows from an underground part called a tuber. It is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It is also a deciduous plant, meaning some parts die back each year, but it grows again from its tuber. These plants often grow together in groups.
This orchid has large, dark green leaves with bumpy edges. Each leaf is about 5 to 15 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.6 inches) long and 1 to 10 millimeters (about 0.04 to 0.4 inches) wide.
When the shy greenhood flowers, it usually has one white flower with green or reddish-brown stripes. The flower leans forward and is about 12 to 15 millimeters (about 0.5 to 0.6 inches) long and 6 to 8 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. It grows on a stem that is about 80 to 100 millimeters (about 3 to 4 inches) tall.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals form a kind of hood over the center of the flower. The dorsal sepal is longer than the petals and has a thin, thread-like tip that is about 6 to 8 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. The side sepals stand upright and have thread-like tips about 10 to 14 millimeters (about 0.4 to 0.6 inches) long. There is a small bulge between them.
The labellum is a special part of the orchid flower. For the shy greenhood, it is shaped like an egg, about 4 to 5 millimeters (about 0.16 to 0.2 inches) long and 1 millimeter (about 0.04 inches) wide. It is thick, fleshy, dark brown, and curved. It sticks out above the bulge between the sepals. This orchid flowers from August to September.
Naming the Shy Greenhood
The shy greenhood was first officially described in 1940 by a scientist named Richard Sanders Rogers. He published his description in a scientific paper. The second part of its scientific name, allantoidea, comes from a Latin word that means 'sausage-shaped'. This refers to the shape of the labellum, which looks a bit like a sausage.
Where the Shy Greenhood Lives
The shy greenhood grows in specific places in Western Australia. You can find it on and near large granite rocks, often under shrubs. It grows in areas between Coolgardie, Ravensthorpe, and Israelite Bay. These areas are part of the Coolgardie and Esperance Plains regions.
Protecting the Shy Greenhood
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the shy greenhood. They have officially stated that it is "not threatened." This means the plant is not currently in danger of disappearing.
