Taree rustyhood facts for kids

The Taree rustyhood is a special type of orchid. It's also called the tall rusthood or ruddy hood. This plant is part of the orchid family, known for its beautiful flowers. You can only find it growing naturally in eastern Australia. It has a group of leaves shaped like a circle at its base. It can grow up to twelve reddish-brown flowers. These flowers have clear "windows" and a thick, reddish-brown part called a labellum. This labellum looks a bit like an insect and has bristles.

What the Taree Rustyhood Looks Like

The Taree rustyhood, or Pterostylis chaetophora, is a plant that grows from the ground. It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times. This plant is a herb and has a special underground part called a tuber.

It usually has six to nine egg-shaped leaves. These leaves are about 10 to 35 mm (0.4 to 1.4 in) long. They are also about 8 to 15 mm (0.3 to 0.6 in) wide. When the plant is flowering, it has these leaves at the bottom of its stem. However, the leaves often dry up by the time the flowers appear.

The plant can grow up to twelve reddish-brown flowers. These flowers have clear parts that let light through. Each flower is about 30 to 37 mm (1.2 to 1.5 in) long. They are also about 7 to 9 mm (0.3 to 0.4 in) wide. The flowers grow on a tall stem that can be 150 to 350 mm (6 to 14 in) high. The flowers lean forward on the stem. There are also three to five leaves wrapped around the flowering stem.

The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals form a hood. This hood is called a "galea." The dorsal sepal has a narrow tip that is about 5 to 8 mm (0.2 to 0.3 in) long. The side sepals, called lateral sepals, point downwards. They are about as wide as the galea. They quickly become narrow tips that are 13 to 20 mm (0.5 to 0.8 in) long. These tips spread out from each other.

The labellum is a thick, reddish-brown part of the flower. It looks like an insect. It's about 6 mm (0.2 in) long and 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. It has a groove down its middle. The "head" part of the labellum has many short hairs. The "body" part has ten to thirteen hairs on each side. These hairs can be up to 4 mm (0.2 in) long. The Taree rustyhood flowers from August to November.

How it Got its Name

The Taree rustyhood was first officially described in 1989. Two botanists, Mark Clements and David Jones, described it. They found a sample of the plant near Abermain. Their description was published in a book called Australian Orchid Research.

The second part of its scientific name, chaetophora, comes from Ancient Greek words. "Chaite" means "long hair." The ending "‑phorus" means "‑bearing." So, chaetophora means "bearing long hair," which describes the bristly labellum.

Where the Taree Rustyhood Lives

The Taree rustyhood grows in forests. It likes areas with grasses and shrubs. You can find it in the Taree area of New South Wales. It also grows in Queensland.

Protecting the Taree Rustyhood

The Taree rustyhood is considered "vulnerable" in New South Wales. This means it's at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it. This status is under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

Some of the main dangers to this plant include:

• Weed invasion: Other plants, called weeds, can grow too much and take over its habitat.
• Habitat loss: The places where it lives are being destroyed. This can happen because of building or farming.
• Disturbance: Things like road work can harm its growing areas.
• Rubbish dumping: People throwing trash can damage its home.
• Uncontrolled vehicle access: Cars and trucks driving where they shouldn't can hurt the plants.