Elegant greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elegant greenhood |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
elegans
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| Synonyms | |
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Diplodium elegans (D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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Pterostylis elegans, also known as the elegant greenhood, is a special type of orchid. This plant only grows in New South Wales, Australia.
When it is not flowering, this orchid has a circle of leaves that lie flat on the ground. But when it flowers, it grows a single, beautiful flower. This flower is mostly white and see-through, with dark green lines and reddish-brown spots near its tip.
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About the Elegant Greenhood
The elegant greenhood is a perennial plant, which means it lives for many years. It grows from an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root. It is also a deciduous plant, meaning some parts of it die back during certain seasons.
When the plant is not flowering, it has a rosette of two to four leaves. Each leaf is about 12 to 25 millimeters (about 0.5 to 1 inch) long and 10 to 15 millimeters (about 0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide.
What the Flower Looks Like
Flowering plants have one flower on a stem that stands about 150 to 280 millimeters (about 6 to 11 inches) tall. The flower itself is about 14 to 18 millimeters (about 0.5 to 0.7 inches) long and 6 to 8 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide.
The flower is mostly white and looks a bit see-through, with dark green lines and markings. 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, which is called the column. The ends of this hood are reddish-brown. The dorsal sepal also has a thin, thread-like tip that is 5 to 8 millimeters long.
The side sepals are held close to the hood. They have upright, thread-like tips that are 14 to 18 millimeters long. Between their bases, there is a small, slightly sticking-out notch. The "lip" of the flower, called the labellum, is 8 to 11 millimeters long and about 2 millimeters wide. It is curved, dark brown, and sticks out clearly above the notch.
The elegant greenhood usually flowers from January to April.
How it Got its Name
The Pterostylis elegans was first officially described in 1997. This was done by a botanist named David Jones. He found a sample of the plant in the Enfield State Forest in the Northern Tablelands. The description was then published in a scientific magazine called The Orchadian.
The second part of its name, elegans, is a Latin word. It means "tasteful," "choice," "fine," or "select." This name perfectly describes the beautiful look of this orchid.
Where it Lives
The elegant greenhood grows in woodland and forest areas. You can find it among grasses and small shrubs. It grows in a region between the Barrington Tops National Park and the town of Walcha.
Protecting the Elegant Greenhood
The elegant greenhood is considered "vulnerable" in New South Wales. This means it is at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it. This listing is under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.
The main dangers to this orchid are:
- Weed invasion: Other plants (weeds) can grow too much and take over the areas where the orchid lives.
- Feral pig activity: Wild pigs can damage the plants and their habitat.
- Cattle grazing: Cows eating plants can also harm the orchid's environment.
Efforts are being made to protect this special plant and its home.
