Pterostylis scabrida, commonly known as the rough greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to Tasmania. It has a rosette of leaves at the base of the plant and a single green and white flower on a rough stem. It is widespread and common in wet forests and is one of the few species of Pterostylis to grow in rainforest.
Pterostylis scabrida is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a rosette of dark green leaves loosely surrounding the base of the flowering stem. Each leaf is 30–60 mm long and 8–10 mm wide. A single green and white flower 20–25 mm long and 14–16 mm wide is borne on a rough flowering stem 80–250 mm high. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused, forming a hood or "galea" over the column. The dorsal sepal is the same length as the petals and curves forward with a pointed tip. There is a wide gap between the galea and the lateral sepals. The lateral sepals are erect and have thread-like tips 14–16 mm long and a slightly bulging, V-shaped notch sinus between them. The labellum is 12–15 mm long, about 3 mm wide, brown and curved and protrudes above the sinus. Flowering occurs from October to February.[1] [2]
Pterostylis scabrida was first formally described in 1840 by John Lindley and the description was published in his book, The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants.[3] [4] The specific epithet (scabrida) is a Latin word meaning "rough" or "rugged".[5]
The rough greenhood is widespread and common in wet forests, including rainforest, throughout Tasmania.[6]