Nodding rufous-hood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nodding rufous-hood |
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| Pterostylis mirabilis growing near Cleve | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
mirabilis
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| Synonyms | |
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Oligochaetochilus mirabilis (R.Br.) Szlach. |
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The Pterostylis mirabilis, also known as the nodding rufous-hood, is a special plant. It belongs to the orchid family and grows only in South Australia. This plant has a group of leaves at its base. It also has up to ten greenish-white flowers. These flowers have a narrow hood and a unique, insect-like part called a labellum.
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What Does This Orchid Look Like?
The nodding rufous-hood is a plant that grows from an underground part called a tuber. It is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so its leaves fall off at certain times.
This orchid has a group of five to twelve egg-shaped leaves. These leaves overlap and are about 20 mm (0.8 in) long and 4-8 mm (0.2-0.3 in) wide. When the plant is flowering, these leaves are usually dry.
Up to ten greenish-white flowers grow on a stem. This stem can be up to 80 mm (3.1 in) tall. The flowers lean forward, giving them a "nodding" look. The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, and the petals form a hood. This hood covers the center of the flower. The dorsal sepal has a narrow tip about 15 mm (0.6 in) long.
The side parts of the flower, called lateral sepals, point downwards. They become very thin, like threads, up to 25 mm (1.0 in) long. The labellum is a thin, green to pale brown part of the flower. It looks like an insect and is about 8 mm (0.3 in) long. It has two hairs on one end and eight to eleven shorter hairs on each side.
How It Got Its Name
This orchid was first officially described in 2007. A botanist named David Jones gave it the name Oligochaetochilus mirabilis. He found a sample of the plant near the road from Cowell to Kimba. This description was published in a magazine called The Orchadian.
In 2008, another botanist, Robert Bates, changed its name to Pterostylis mirabilis. The second part of its name, mirabilis, comes from a Latin word. It means "wonderful" or "strange."
Where This Orchid Lives
The nodding rufous-hood grows in rocky, hilly areas. It often grows under a type of scrub called Melaleuca uncinata. This special orchid is only found in about twelve places on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
Protecting This Special Plant
The Pterostylis mirabilis is listed as "vulnerable" by the Australian Government. This means it is at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it.
The main reasons this plant is in danger are:
- Habitat loss: Its natural home is being broken up into smaller pieces.
- Weeds: Other plants, called weeds, are growing where the orchid lives and taking its resources.
- Wrong fire management: Fires that happen too often or not enough can harm the plant.
- Farming practices: Some farming methods can also damage its habitat.
