Pterostylis oblonga explained

Pterostylis oblonga, commonly known as the coastal maroonhood, is a species of orchid endemic to New South Wales where it grows on the coast and tablelands. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a rosette of dark green leaves lying flat on the ground. Flowering plants have a relatively small greenish brown and white flower which has darker brown tips.

Description

Pterostylis oblonga is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb with an underground tuber. Both flowering and non-flowering plants have a rosette of dark green leaves, each leaf NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. Flowering plants have a single greenish brown and white flower NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide on a flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 high. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused, forming a hood or "galea" over the column, the galea with a dark brown tip. There is a wide gap between the petals and the lateral sepals and the sinus between the lateral sepals has a central notch and curves slightly forward. The labellum is NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long, about 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide, and is brown and blunt. Flowering occurs from July to September.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

Pterostylis oblonga was first formally described in 2006 by David Jones from a specimen collected near Bawley Point and the description was published in the journal Australian Orchid Research.[2] The specific epithet (oblonga) is a Latin word meaning "longer than broad".[3]

Distribution and habitat

The coastal maroonhood grows mainly in coastal and near coastal forest between Coffs Harbour and Nowra.[4]

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. 302.
  2. Web site: Pterostylis oblonga. APNI. 20 July 2017.
  3. Book: Brown. Roland Wilbur. The Composition of Scientific Words. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.. 567.
  4. Web site: Pterostylis oblonga. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: plantnet. 20 July 2017.