Brittle greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brittle greenhood |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Pterostylis truncata growing near Armidale | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
|
| Species: |
truncata
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Diplodium truncatum (Fitzg.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
|
The Pterostylis truncata, often called the brittle greenhood or little dumpies, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in eastern Australia. You can easily tell it apart from other greenhood orchids. It is short and has pretty big, "dumpy" flowers. These flowers are green, white, and brown. This orchid is common in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. But it is listed as "endangered" in Victoria. This is because its natural home is being lost as cities grow.
Contents
What Does the Brittle Greenhood Look Like?
When the Brittle greenhood is not flowering, it has a group of 2 to 6 bright green leaves. These leaves are shaped like eggs or spears. Each leaf is about 10 to 35 mm (0.4 to 1.4 in) long. They are also about 5 to 18 mm (0.2 to 0.7 in) wide.
When it flowers, it grows a single white flower. This flower has green and brown stripes. It grows on a stem that is about 50 to 150 mm (2 to 6 in) tall. There are also 2 to 5 leaves wrapped tightly around this flowering stem.
The flowers are about 35 to 45 mm (1.4 to 1.8 in) long and 7 to 20 mm (0.3 to 0.8 in) wide. They look puffy and lean forward with a tip that points down. The top part of the flower (called the dorsal sepal) has a sharp point. The petals curve inward under this point. The side parts (lateral sepals) have a deep V-shape between them. Each of these sepals has a thin, thread-like tip. This tip is about 25 to 30 mm (1.0 to 1.2 in) long.
.jpg)
How Was the Brittle Greenhood Named?
The Brittle greenhood, Pterostylis truncata, was first described in 1878. A scientist named Robert FitzGerald found a sample near Mittagong. He wrote about it in his book, Australian Orchids.
The second part of its name, truncata, is a Latin word. It means "to shorten by cutting off."
Where Does the Brittle Greenhood Grow?
The brittle greenhood is found in many places in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. It often grows in forests, especially on hillsides and slopes. You can find it south of the New England Tableland.
It is quite rare in Victoria. There, it grows in well-drained soil. You might find it in grasslands, woodlands, or on rocky areas made of granite. These spots are usually within 100 km (62 mi) of Melbourne.
Why Is the Brittle Greenhood in Danger?
The Pterostylis truncata is listed as "endangered" by the Victorian Government. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. Only a few groups of these orchids are known to exist. They are found in places like the You Yangs, Black Hill Reserve near Ballarat, and the Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve near Bacchus Marsh. In the past, this orchid grew in many more areas.
The main reasons for its decline in Victoria are:
- Animals eating them: Rabbits, feral goats, and eastern grey kangaroos sometimes eat the orchids.
- Weed invasion: Weeds, especially boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera), can take over the orchid's habitat.
- Habitat loss: As towns and cities grow, the natural places where the orchid lives are destroyed. This is a big problem for its survival.
Gallery
-
Clump of Pterostylis truncata near Dangars Falls
-
Fitzgerald's painting of P. coccina (L) and P. truncata (R)
.jpg)
