Tablelands greenhood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tablelands greenhood |
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| Pterostylis abrupta growing near Ebor | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterostylis
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| Species: |
abrupta
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| Synonyms | |
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Diplodium abruptum (D.L.Jones) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. |
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The Tablelands greenhood (Pterostylis abrupta) is a special type of orchid that only grows in New South Wales, Australia. It's unique because of its thick, flat, platform-like part called a sinus. It also has a blunt labellum, which is a special lip-like petal. You can just see this labellum above the sinus.
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What Does the Tablelands Greenhood Look Like?
The Tablelands greenhood is a plant that grows from the ground. It's a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. It's also deciduous, so some parts might die back in certain seasons.
This orchid has an underground tuber, which is like a small storage root. It also has a group of dark green, crinkled leaves that form a circle, called a rosette. Each leaf is about 10 to 25 millimeters (0.4 to 1 inch) long and 10 to 15 millimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide.
A single flower grows on a tall stalk, which can be 150 to 450 millimeters (6 to 18 inches) high. The flower itself is about 23 to 27 millimeters (0.9 to 1.1 inches) long and 12 to 15 millimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) wide. These flowers are a mix of dark green, white, and brown.
The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, curves forward. It has a thin, thread-like tip that is 10 to 18 millimeters (0.4 to 0.7 inches) long. This sepal, along with the petals, forms a hood. This hood is often called a "galea."
The side parts of the flower, called lateral sepals, also have thread-like tips. These tips are longer, about 30 to 40 millimeters (1.2 to 1.6 inches) long. Between the bases of these sepals, there's a part that sticks out like a platform. This is the sinus.
The labellum is the special lip-like petal. It's about 13 to 15 millimeters (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long and 4 millimeters (0.2 inches) wide. It's brown and has a blunt end. You can just see it peeking out from behind the sinus.
These orchids usually bloom, or flower, from December to April.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The scientific name for the Tablelands greenhood is Pterostylis abrupta. A botanist named David Jones first officially described this plant in 1985. His description was published in a magazine called The Orchadian.
The second part of its scientific name, abrupta, comes from a Latin word. It means "precipitous" or "steep." This might refer to how a part of the flower looks. Giving plants scientific names helps scientists all over the world know exactly which plant they are talking about.
Where Does the Tablelands Greenhood Live?
The Tablelands greenhood is found in specific places in New South Wales. It grows on ridges and slopes. You can find it among rocks and grass, especially in rich soil. It prefers the higher areas of the ranges and tablelands in New South Wales. You can find it north of a place called Barrington Tops.
Can You Grow It?
Yes, you can grow the Tablelands greenhood in pots! It's known to be quite easy to grow this way. If you are growing it, you need to keep the soil moist when the plant is actively growing. However, when the plant is dormant (resting, not growing), you should keep the soil dry.
