Broad-petalled snail orchid facts for kids

The broad-petalled snail orchid (Pterostylis platypetala) is a special type of orchid. It is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This orchid gets its name because its flowers can look a bit like a snail!

It has a group of leaves that grow in a circle, called a rosette. When it blooms, it shows off a single green and white flower. This flower has petals that are wider than usual. If the conditions are just right, hundreds of these plants can grow together. They are often found under melaleuca trees near areas that get wet in winter.

What Does the Broad-petalled Snail Orchid Look Like?

The Pterostylis platypetala is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, so it loses its leaves at certain times. This plant is a herb and has an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root.

Its leaf rosette is about 14 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1.0 in) wide. When the plant flowers, it produces a single green and white bloom. This flower is about 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1.0 in) long and 8 to 10 mm (0.3 to 0.4 in) wide. The flowering stem that holds the flower stands 50 to 120 mm (2.0 to 4.7 in) tall.

There are usually three or four leaves on the stem. These stem leaves are 5 to 15 mm (0.2 to 0.6 in) long and 3 to 8 mm (0.1 to 0.3 in) wide. Their bases wrap around the flowering stem.

Flower Parts

The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, joins with the petals. Together, they form a hood-like shape over the central part of the flower, which is called the column. This hood is known as a "galea." The dorsal sepal narrows to a point at its tip.

A special feature of this orchid is its petals. They are wider than those of similar orchids and extend beyond the end of the dorsal sepal. The side sepals (called lateral sepals) are held close to the galea. They are 12 to 20 mm (0.5 to 0.8 in) long and have thick, club-shaped tips. The labellum (a special lip-like petal) is small and cannot be seen from outside the flower. This orchid blooms from May to July.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The broad-petalled snail orchid, Pterostylis platypetala, was officially described in 2015. This description was made by two botanists, David Jones and Christopher French. They wrote about it after finding a specimen in the Wandoo National Park. Their findings were published in a magazine called Australian Orchid Review.

The second part of its scientific name, platypetala, comes from Ancient Greek words. The word platús means “flat,” and petalon means "petal." So, the name platypetala describes the orchid's wide, flat petals.

Where Does This Orchid Live?

The broad-petalled snail orchid grows in certain types of forests. It likes to live in woodlands with salmon gum and wandoo trees. It also grows under melaleuca trees, especially near areas that become wet during winter.

You can find this orchid in Western Australia. Its range stretches from Kalbarri in the north down to Brookton in the south.

Is This Orchid Safe?

Good news! The Pterostylis platypetala is currently listed as "not threatened." This means that the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife believes there are enough of these orchids in the wild, and they are not at risk of disappearing.