Pterostylis areolata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greenhood |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
areolata
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The Pterostylis areolata is a special type of orchid that grows only in New Zealand. It's often called a "greenhood" because of its unique flower shape.
This plant looks different depending on whether it's flowering or not. When it's not flowering, it has a flat circle of leaves on the ground. But when it's ready to bloom, a single flower grows on a tall stem with leaves along it. This greenhood has green and see-through white stripes on its flowers. They look a bit like another orchid, P. australis, but the leaves on the stem of P. areolata are shorter and don't grow taller than the flower itself.
About the Greenhood Orchid
Pterostylis areolata is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root. When the plant is not flowering, it has one or two oval-shaped leaves. These leaves are about 3 to 9 centimeters (1.2 to 3.5 inches) long and 1 to 2.5 centimeters (0.4 to 1 inch) wide.
When it flowers, this greenhood usually has one pale green flower. The flower has see-through white stripes and sometimes orange tips. These flowers are quite large and lean forward. They grow on a flowering stem that is about 7 to 25 centimeters (2.8 to 9.8 inches) tall. This stem also has two to four leaves on it.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, joins with the petals to form a hood. This hood covers the central part of the flower, which is called the column. The dorsal sepal has a short point at its end. The two side parts of the flower, called the lateral sepals, spread apart and point towards the back of the hood. The labellum, which is a special lip-like part of the flower, is red and gets darker at its tip. You can see these orchids flowering from October to December.
How it Got its Name
The Pterostylis areolata was officially described in 1968 by a botanist named Donald Petrie. He wrote about it in a scientific paper called Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. He found the first example of this plant near the Awatere River.
The second part of its scientific name, areolata, comes from a Latin word. It means "with small spaces," which might refer to the patterns on its flower.
Where it Lives
This greenhood orchid grows in different places in New Zealand. You can find it in tussock grasslands, in areas with scrub, near wetlands, and in open forests. It lives on both of New Zealand's main islands. It's found in a few spots on the North Island, but it's much more common on the eastern side of the South Island.
