Pterostylis cycnocephala facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swan greenhood |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
cycnocephala
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| Synonyms | |
The swan greenhood (Pterostylis cycnocephala) is a special type of orchid found only in south-eastern Australia. It gets its name because part of its flower looks a bit like a swan's head! This plant has a group of leaves at its base and can grow up to 24 green flowers. You can find it in many places, from Queensland down to Tasmania, often growing among grasses.
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What Does It Look Like?
The swan greenhood is a plant that grows from an underground tuber (a bit like a small potato). 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 of the year.
At the bottom of the plant, there's a group of six to twelve dark green leaves, called a rosette. Each leaf is about 12 to 35 mm (0.5 to 1.4 inches) long and 8 to 15 mm (0.3 to 0.6 inches) wide.
The plant can grow a tall stem, about 80 to 300 mm (3 to 12 inches) high. On this stem, you might see up to 24 shiny green flowers. Each flower is about 7 to 9 mm (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long and 4 mm (0.2 inches) wide. There are also three to six leaves wrapped around the flowering stem.
Flower Parts
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals join together to form a hood. This hood covers the central part of the flower, which is called the column. The dorsal sepal is rounded and curves downwards.
The side sepals also curve downwards. They are about 6 mm (0.2 inches) long and 5 mm (0.2 inches) wide, and they are joined together for most of their length.
The most interesting part is the labellum. This is a special lip-like petal. It's shaped like a rectangle, about 2 mm (0.08 inches) long, and is whitish-green. It has a dark green, beak-like part that points forward from its base. This beak-like part is why it's called the "swan greenhood"!
Swan greenhoods usually flower between August and December.
Where Does It Live?
The swan greenhood is quite common and can be found in many places across south-eastern Australia. It grows from the Darling Downs in Queensland, through New South Wales and Victoria, all the way down to Tasmania. You'll often spot it growing in grassy areas.
Naming the Swan Greenhood
The scientific name for the swan greenhood, Pterostylis cycnocephala, was first officially described in 1936. This description was made by a botanist named Robert D. FitzGerald in his book, Australian Orchids.
The second part of its scientific name, cycnocephala, comes from two Ancient Greek words. "Kyknos" means "swan," and "kephale" means "head." This name was chosen because the special beak-like part of the labellum looks like a swan's head and neck.
