Northern cobra greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern cobra greenhood |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
aquilonia
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| Synonyms | |
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Diplodium aquilonium (D.L.Jones & B.Gray) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The northern cobra greenhood (Pterostylis aquilonia) is a special type of orchid that grows only in Queensland, Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
Like many orchids, this plant looks different depending on if it is flowering or not. When it's not flowering, it has a group of leaves shaped like a circle, called a rosette. But when it's ready to bloom, it grows a single flower on a tall stem with leaves on the stem itself. This greenhood orchid has a fairly large flower that is green, white, and reddish-brown. It can even pollinate itself!
What it Looks Like
The northern cobra greenhood is a plant that grows on land. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves at certain times. This plant is a herb, so it has soft stems instead of woody ones. It grows from an underground tuber, which is like a swollen root that stores food.
When the plant is not flowering, its leaves form a rosette. These light green leaves are about 5–15 mm (0.2–0.6 in) long and 5–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) wide.
When it flowers, a single bloom appears on a stem that is about 150–200 mm (6–8 in) tall. The flower itself is about 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long and 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide. Its colors are white, green, and reddish-brown.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals are joined together. They form a hood-like shape over the flower's central part, which is called the column. This hood is known as a "galea." The dorsal sepal curves forward and has a short, pointed tip.
The two side sepals, called lateral sepals, stand upright. They have thin, thread-like ends that are about 22–25 mm (0.9–1 in) long. These tips bend forward. The lateral sepals stay close to the galea. There is a wide, flat space between their bases, which is called a sinus.
The labellum is a special part of the flower, like a lip. It is about 11–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. It is brown and sticks out slightly above the sinus. This orchid usually flowers during May and June.
Naming the Plant
The scientific name Pterostylis aquilonia was officially given to this plant in 1997. It was named by two botanists, David Jones and Bruce Gray. They described the plant in a publication called The Orchadian. The first specimen they studied was found near Herberton.
The second part of the scientific name, aquilonia, is a Latin word. It means "north" or "northern." This name likely refers to where the plant is found.
Where it Lives
The northern cobra greenhood grows in forests. You can find it in the higher areas of the Atherton Tableland in Queensland.
