Keeled greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Keeled greenhood |
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| Drawing of Pterostylis depauperata by Lewis Roberts | |
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Pterostylis
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| Species: |
depauperata
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The keeled greenhood (scientific name: Pterostylis depauperata) is a unique type of orchid. It grows only in Queensland, Australia.
When this plant flowers, it has a group of leaves at its base. This group of leaves is called a rosette. A single small white flower with light green marks grows on a stem. The stem also has a few small leaves. If the plant is not flowering, you will only see the rosette of leaves.
All three sepals on the flower have long, thin tips that look like threads.
Contents
About the Keeled Greenhood Plant
The keeled greenhood is a plant that lives for many years. It is a perennial herb. This means it has soft stems, not woody ones like trees. It also loses its leaves at certain times of the year, making it deciduous.
Underground Tubers and Colonies
This orchid grows from an underground tuber. A tuber is like a small, round storage organ. These plants often grow together in groups, forming colonies.
Leaves of the Keeled Greenhood
Plants that are not flowering have a rosette of leaves. This rosette usually has three to seven leaves. They are shaped like eggs and are a greyish-green color. These leaves lie flat on the ground. Each leaf is about 10 to 40 millimeters (0.4 to 1.6 inches) long. They are also about 5 to 10 millimeters (0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide.
Flowers of the Keeled Greenhood
Flowering plants have one single flower. This flower is about 15 to 17 millimeters (0.6 to 0.7 inches) long. It is also about 8 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. The flower grows on a stem that is 80 to 200 millimeters (3.1 to 7.9 inches) tall. The flowers are white with light green stripes.
Flower Parts: Sepals and Petals
The top sepal (called the dorsal sepal) and the petals are joined together. They form a hood shape over the column of the flower. This hood is called a "galea." The dorsal sepal has a thread-like tip. This tip is about 10 to 13 millimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long.
The side sepals (called lateral sepals) stand upright. They are held close to the galea. These sepals also have thread-like tips. Their tips are longer, about 17 to 20 millimeters (0.7 to 0.8 inches) long.
The Labellum
The labellum is another part of the flower. It is about 8 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. It is also about 3 millimeters (0.1 inches) wide. The labellum is dark brown and curved. It just sticks out from the opening of the flower.
When Does it Flower?
The keeled greenhood flowers from March to August each year.
Naming the Keeled Greenhood
The keeled greenhood was first officially described in 1943. This was done by a scientist named Frederick Bailey. He described it from a plant sample found near Cairns, Australia. His description was published in a science bulletin from the Queensland Department of Agriculture.
Where the Keeled Greenhood Lives
The keeled greenhood grows in woodlands and forests. It likes to grow among grasses and small shrubs. You can find it between Cooktown and Ravenshoe in Queensland. It grows at higher places, usually above 500 meters (1,640 feet) in altitude.
