Pterostylis procera explained

Pterostylis procera, commonly known as the short-lipped greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to Queensland. It has a rosette of leaves and when flowering a single translucent white flower with green and reddish markings and a labellum which does not protrude through the lateral sepals.

Description

Pterostylis procera is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a rosette of dark green, wrinkled leaves. Each leaf is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. When flowering, there is a single translucent white flower with green and reddish markings, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide which is borne on a flowering spike NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 high. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused to form a hood or "galea" over the column, the dorsal sepal slightly longer than the petals and sharply pointed. There is a wide gap at each side of the flower between the petals and lateral sepals. The lateral sepals are erect or turned backwards with a tapering tip NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and there is a broad bulging sinus with a small notch between them. The labellum does not protrude above the sinus. Flowering occurs from February to May.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

Pterostylis procera was first described in 1989 by David Jones and Mark Clements and the description was published in Australian Orchid Research from a specimen collected near Herberton.[2] The specific epithet (procera) is a Latin word meaning "tall", "slender" or "long".[3]

Distribution and habitat

The short-lipped greenhood grows with grasses and shrubs in sheltered gullies between Mount Finnigan and Paluma at altitudes above 700sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2.

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. 304.
  2. Web site: Pterostylis procera. APNI. 6 July 2017.
  3. Book: Brown. Roland Wilbur. The Composition of Scientific Words. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.. 410.