Hindmarsh Valley greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hindmarsh Valley greenhood |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
bryophila
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| Synonyms | |
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Diplodium bryophilum (D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The Pterostylis bryophila, also known as the Hindmarsh Valley greenhood, is a special type of orchid. It is found only in South Australia. Like other greenhood orchids, its appearance changes depending on whether it is flowering or not. When it's not flowering, it has a flat group of leaves called a rosette on the ground. But when it flowers, it grows a single, small, shiny, bright green and white flower. This flower has a unique, platform-like part called a sinus between its lower parts.
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What Does the Hindmarsh Valley Greenhood Look Like?
The Hindmarsh Valley greenhood is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years, and it's deciduous, so it loses its leaves at certain times.
When the plant is not flowering, it has a rosette of three to five leaves. Each leaf is about 10 to 22 mm (0.4 to 0.9 in) long and 5 to 15 mm (0.2 to 0.6 in) wide.
When it flowers, the plant grows a single flower on a stem that is about 120 to 180 mm (4.7 to 7.1 in) tall. This stem also has four or five smaller leaves. The flower itself is about 18 to 20 mm (0.7 to 0.8 in) long and 8 to 10 mm (0.3 to 0.4 in) wide.
The flowers are shiny, bright green, and white, and they curve forward. 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 pointed and longer than the petals.
The two lower parts of the flower, called the lateral sepals, are held close to the galea. They have thin, thread-like tips that are about 16 to 21 mm (0.6 to 0.8 in) long. Between their bases, there's a flat, U-shaped part that sticks out, known as the sinus.
Inside the flower, there's a special lip-like part called the labellum. It's about 9 to 11 mm (0.35 to 0.43 in) long and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. The labellum is curved and dark brown, and you can just see it peeking out above the sinus.
This orchid usually flowers from April to July.
How Was This Orchid Named?
The Pterostylis bryophila was first officially described in 1997. It was named by a botanist named David Jones. He found the first sample of this orchid near the Hindmarsh Valley Reservoir. The description of the orchid was then published in a scientific journal called The Orchadian.
Where Does the Hindmarsh Valley Greenhood Live?
The Hindmarsh Valley greenhood prefers to grow in damp, shady spots. You can find it in grassy woodlands and forests. So far, it has only been found in two places on the Fleurieu Peninsula, which are about 40 km (25 mi) apart.
Why Is This Orchid Endangered?
The Pterostylis bryophila is listed as "critically endangered" under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
There are several reasons why this orchid is in danger:
- Habitat disturbance: Its natural home is being disturbed or destroyed.
- Grazing animals: Animals like kangaroos and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) eat the plants.
- Inappropriate fire regimes: The way fires are managed in its habitat might not be good for the orchid.
- Weed invasion: Other plants, called weeds, are growing in its habitat and taking over.
