Pterostylis curta explained

Pterostylis curta, commonly known as the blunt greenhood, is a species of orchid found in south-eastern Australia, Lord Howe Island and New Caledonia. It has a rosette of leaves at its base and a single white and green, forward leaning flower with a brown tip and a twisted labellum.

Description

Pterostylis curta has a rosette of between two and six egg-shaped to elliptic leaves, each leaf NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The leaves are dark green, have a distinct petiole and sometimes a wavy edge. A single white and green flower with a brown tip is borne on a flowering spike NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 high, the flower leaning forwards. The flowers are NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused to form a hood or "galea" over the column. The dorsal sepal and petals are a similar length and end in a blunt tip. There is a wide gap at each side of the flower between the petals and lateral sepals. The lateral sepals are erect, about the same length as the galea, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and there is a broad V-shaped sinus between them. The labellum is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide, brown, twisted to one side and just visible above the sinus. Flowering occurs from July to October.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

Pterostylis curta was first described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[5] [6] The specific epithet (curta) means "short".[7]

Distribution and habitat

The blunt greenhood is widespread and common in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, growing in moist places in heath, scrub, woodland and forest.[8] It also occurs on Lord Howe Island and in New Caledonia but is rare in South Australia.[9] [10]

Use in horticulture

Pterostylis curta has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[11] It is easily grown in pots containing a free-draining, sandy mix. The plants require regular watering during their growing period, to be kept dry during dormancy and to be repotted annually.[12] [13]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Jones. David L.. A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. 2006. New Holland. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.. 978-1877069123. 303–304.
  2. Web site: Jones. David L.. Pterostylis curta. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: plantnet. 10 May 2017.
  3. Web site: Jeanes. Jeff. Pterostylis curta. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: vicflora. 10 May 2017.
  4. Web site: Pterostylis curta. State Herbarium of South Australia: efloraSA. 10 May 2017.
  5. Web site: Pterostylis curta. APNI. 10 May 2017.
  6. Book: Brown. Robert. Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae. 1810. London. 326. 26 April 2017.
  7. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 175 . 3rd.
  8. Jones. David L.. Contributions to Tasmanian Orchidology 7:A Taxonomic Review of Pterostylis in Tasmania. Australian Orchid Research. 1998. 3. 142.
  9. Web site: Greenhood orchid Pterostylis curta. Lord Howe Island Museum. 10 May 2017.
  10. Web site: Pterostylis curta R.Br.. Endemia New Caledonia. 10 May 2017.
  11. Web site: Pterostylis curta . www.rhs.org . Royal Horticultural Society . 17 February 2021.
  12. Web site: Three Australian greenhood orchids for the windowsill: Pterostylis curta, nutans, and Nodding Grace. BotanyBoy Plant Encyclopedia. 26 April 2017.
  13. Web site: Culture of fast multiplying (FM) terrestrial orchids. Native Orchid Society of South Australia. 10 May 2017.