Pterostylis echinulata, commonly known as the hairy-leafed snail orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a compact rosette of leaves flat on the ground and flowering plants have a single pale yellowish-green flower.
Pterostylis echinulata is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a compact rosette of leaves NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 in diameter. Flowering plants have a single pale yellowish-green flower NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide on a densely hairy flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 high. There is a single stem leaf NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide on the flowering stem. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused, forming a slightly inflated hood or "galea" over the column. The lateral sepals are held close to the galea almost closing the front of the flower and have erect, thread-like tips NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. The labellum is broad but not visible from outside the flower. Flowering occurs in June and July.[1] [2]
Pterostylis echinulata was first formally described in 2014 by David Jones and Christopher French from a specimen collected near Kulin and the description was published in Australian Orchid Review. The species had previously been known as Pterostylis sp. 'hairy leaf'.[3] The specific epithet (echinulata) is a Latin word meaning "with very small prickles, alluding to the impression imparted by the siliceous cells present on the leaves, scape and ovary of this species".
The hairy-leafed snail orchid grows under small shrubs in open woodland in the Mallee biogeographic region.
Pterostylis echinulata is classified as "Priority One" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife, meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations which are potentially at risk.[4]