Pterostylis aneba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pterostylis aneba |
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| Pterostylis aneba growing near Jindabyne | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
aneba
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Pterostylis aneba is a special type of orchid that only grows in south-eastern Australia. It is often called a "greenhood" because of its unique flower shape. This orchid was discovered not too long ago and scientists are still learning about it. It looks a bit like other greenhood orchids, such as Pterostylis alpina. This plant has a group of thick, fleshy leaves at its base and grows a single green and white flower. You can find it growing in cool, high-up places like mountains and areas just below the highest mountain zones.
What Does This Orchid Look Like?
Pterostylis aneba is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It's also a deciduous plant, so its leaves fall off at certain times of the year. This plant has an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root. At the base of its flowering stem, it has a rosette of three to five egg-shaped leaves. Each leaf is about 30-60 mm (1-2.5 inches) long and 8-16 mm (0.3-0.6 inches) wide.
A single green and white flower grows on a stem that can be up to 200 mm (8 inches) tall. The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals are joined together. They form a hood, or "galea," over the central part of the flower called the column. The dorsal sepal is the same length as the petals and curves forward, ending in a pointed tip. There is a space between this hood and the lower side sepals. These lower sepals stand upright and have thin, thread-like tips that are 15–20 mm long. They also have a slightly bulging V-shaped dip, called a sinus, between them. The labellum, which is a special petal, is 15-18 mm (0.6-0.7 inches) long and about 3 mm (0.1 inches) wide. It is green or brown, curved, and sticks out above the sinus. This orchid usually flowers from December to February.
How This Orchid Got Its Name
Pterostylis aneba was officially named in 2006 by a botanist named David Jones. He wrote about it in a scientific book called Australian Orchid Research. The first plant used to describe this species was found at Packers Swamp, which is west of Bemboka.
Where This Orchid Lives
This greenhood orchid likes to grow in damp, grassy areas. You can find it in mountain forests and near streams. It grows in southern New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria in Australia.
