Mainland striped greenhood facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mainland striped greenhood
Pterostylis striata growing in the Brisbane Ranges National Park
Scientific classification
Genus:	Pterostylis
Species:	striata

The mainland striped greenhood (scientific name: Pterostylis striata) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in south-eastern mainland Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.

Like many orchids, this plant looks different depending on whether it is flowering or not. Plants that are not flowering have a group of leaves shaped like a circle, called a rosette. But when the plant is flowering, it has a single flower. This flower grows on a tall stem with leaves along it.

The mainland striped greenhood has a white flower with clear dark green stripes. The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, has a brown tip. It also has a thin, thread-like end. These greenhoods were once thought to be a different species called Pterostylis alata. However, that species is now known to grow only in Tasmania.

What the Mainland Striped Greenhood Looks Like

The Pterostylis striata is a plant that grows from the ground. It is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It is also deciduous, meaning some parts fall off each year. This plant is a herb and has a special underground part called a tuber.

When the plant is not flowering, it has a rosette of leaves. There are usually five to nine dark green, wrinkled leaves. Each leaf is about 4 to 15 millimetres (0.16 to 0.59 inches) long. They are also about 3 to 9 millimetres (0.12 to 0.35 inches) wide.

Flowering plants have one single flower. This flower is about 16 to 19 millimetres (0.63 to 0.75 inches) long. It is also about 7 to 9 millimetres (0.28 to 0.35 inches) wide. The flower grows on a spike, or stem, that is about 40 to 250 millimetres (1.6 to 9.8 inches) tall. This spike has three to five spreading leaves on it.

The flowers are white with dark green stripes. They also have a brownish tip. The top sepal and the petals are joined together. They form a hood-like shape over the central part of the flower, called the column. This hood is known as a "galea." The top sepal curves forward. It has a thread-like tip that is about 2 to 4 millimetres (0.079 to 0.157 inches) long.

The lateral sepals are held close to the galea. They have upright, thread-like tips that are about 14 to 20 millimetres (0.55 to 0.79 inches) long. There is a flat area called a sinus between their bases. This sinus has a small groove. The labellum is a special lip-like part of the flower. It is about 7 to 9 millimetres (0.28 to 0.35 inches) long and about 3 millimetres (0.12 inches) wide. It is straight and can just be seen above the sinus. These orchids usually flower from May to August.

How it Got its Name

The Pterostylis striata was first officially described in 1877. This description was made by a person named Robert D. FitzGerald. He found a sample of the plant near Yass. FitzGerald wrote about it in his book called Australian Orchids.

Plants of this species were once thought to be Pterostylis alata. However, scientists now know that Pterostylis alata is a different species. It only grows in Tasmania. The State Herbarium of South Australia still lists Pterostylis alata as growing in that state.

Where it Lives

The mainland striped greenhood grows in many different places. These places range from areas with tea-tree plants to forests. It is found all over Victoria. In New South Wales, you can find it south of Orange.