Hairy snail orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hairy snail orchid |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
clavigera
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| Synonyms | |
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Linguella clavigera (Fitzg.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The hairy snail orchid (also known as Pterostylis clavigera) is a special type of orchid. It only grows in New South Wales, Australia. This orchid has a group of leaves that look like a rosette at its base. When it blooms, it grows a single, bright green and white flower on a stem that feels a bit rough.
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About the Hairy Snail Orchid
The hairy snail orchid is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (like a small potato). It is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times.
What the Plant Looks Like
The plant has dull green leaves that form a rosette at its base. These leaves are about 7 to 17 millimeters (0.3 to 0.7 inches) long. They are also about 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide and have wavy edges.
The Flower's Appearance
Each plant grows a single, bright green and white flower. The flower is about 11 to 17 millimeters (0.4 to 0.7 inches) long. It is also about 4 to 7 millimeters (0.16 to 0.28 inches) wide. This flower grows on a stem that is 50 to 150 millimeters (2 to 6 inches) tall. The stem is covered with short hairs, which gives the orchid its "hairy" name.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals are joined together. They form a hood, or "galea," over the flower's central part, called the column. The side sepals stand upright and touch this hood. They have thin, thread-like tips that are about 10 to 15 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long. These side sepals almost close off the front of the flower. The small gap between them has a dark green area. Inside the flower, there is a small lip called the labellum. It is about 3 to 5 millimeters (0.12 to 0.20 inches) long and 1 to 2 millimeters (0.04 to 0.08 inches) wide. This labellum is usually hidden from view.
When it Flowers
The hairy snail orchid blooms during the cooler months. You can usually see its flowers from June to September.
How it Got its Name
The hairy snail orchid was first officially described in 1885. A botanist named Robert D. FitzGerald gave it its scientific name, Pterostylis clavigera. This description was published in a science journal called Journal of Botany, British and Foreign. The second part of its scientific name, clavigera, comes from a Latin word. It means "club-bearing," which might refer to a part of the flower's shape.
Where the Hairy Snail Orchid Lives
This special orchid grows in specific places in New South Wales, Australia. You can find it in areas with shrubs and trees, and on rocky slopes. It grows between the towns of Mudgee and Dubbo and in nearby regions.
