Ravensthorpe rufous greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ravensthorpe rufous greenhood |
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| Pterostylis leptochila growing south of Ravensthorpe | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
leptochila
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| Synonyms | |
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Oligochaetochilus leptochilus (M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones) Szlach. |
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The Pterostylis leptochila, also known as the Ravensthorpe rufous greenhood or narrow-lipped rustyhood, is a special plant. It belongs to the amazing orchid family. This plant is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.
Both young and mature plants have a group of leaves that grow in a circle, like a rosette. When the plant flowers, it can have up to five beautiful, see-through white flowers. These flowers have cool olive green and brown lines. They also have a unique, insect-like part called a labellum.
Contents
About the Ravensthorpe Rufous Greenhood
The Ravensthorpe rufous greenhood is a plant that grows in the ground. It is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. It also has an underground tuber, which is like a storage part for food. The plant is deciduous, meaning its leaves fall off at certain times.
Each plant has a rosette of about six to ten leaves. These leaves are about 18–35 mm (0.7–1 in) long and 7–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) wide. When the plant is ready to flower, it grows a tall stem. The leaves at the base usually dry up by the time the flowers appear.
Flower Features
The flowering stem can grow up to 150–250 mm (6–10 in) tall. It holds up to five or more flowers. These flowers are mostly see-through white with olive green and brown markings. Each flower is about 23–27 mm (0.9–1 in) long and 7–8 mm (0.28–0.31 in) wide.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals form a hood. This hood is known as a "galea." The dorsal sepal has a narrow tip that is about 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. The side parts, called the lateral sepals, point downwards. They are a bit wider than the galea. These sepals suddenly get narrower into tips that are 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long. These tips then turn forward and spread apart.
The labellum is a special part of the orchid. For this plant, it is thick and looks like a greenish-brown insect. It is about 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. This labellum is covered with short hairs. The Ravensthorpe rufous greenhood usually flowers from September to November.
How the Plant Got Its Name
The scientific name of this orchid, Pterostylis leptochila, was first officially described in 1989. Two scientists, Mark Clements and David Jones, gave it this name. They found a sample of the plant near Ravensthorpe.
The second part of its name, leptochila, comes from two old Greek words. "Leptos" means "fine" or "small." "Cheilos" means "lip" or "rim." So, leptochila refers to the orchid's narrow, lip-like labellum.
Where It Lives
The Ravensthorpe rufous greenhood grows in rocky soil. You can find it in woodlands and areas with shrubs. It lives in the region between Jerramup and Ravensthorpe. These areas are part of the Esperance Plains and Mallee regions in Western Australia.
Protecting the Plant
The good news is that the Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife says Pterostylis leptochila is "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
Images for kids
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A close-up of the leaf rosette
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A detailed look at the insect-like labellum
