Pterostylis decurva
Summer Greenhood
Perennial herb rising from round tubers to form sparse colonies. Central sepal and petals united into a galea (hood) over the column and labellum (lip). Lateral sepals joined at the base, ending in fine points.
Additional information
- SynonymDiplodium decurvum
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Sizeto 30 cm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- LeavesUpright or ground-hugging rosette of 2-5 long-stalked dark green oblong leaves 20-30 mm x 10-20 mm, on non-flowering plants only. 4-5 lance-shaped stem leaves on flowering plants.
- Flower colourPale to dark green and white
- Flowering timeOctober to March
- FlowersSingle flower to 25 mm. Hood curved forward and downward from halfway, tips tinged brown, sepal tip finely pointed to 20 mm long. Lateral sepals erect, gap wide, points erect to 4 cm. Lip brown, curved, blunt tip visible.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist soil on slopes of mountain forests. Dappled to full shade.
- Garden useUse of orchids in gardens is not recommended, unless they already occur naturally, in which case they need to be protected. Removing orchids from the bush usually results in their death and further depletes remaining wild orchid populations.
- Commercially availableNever
- Conservation statusScattered locations within the Shire, plants occurring sparsely.
- Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 2 Cathy Powers ©; 3 Russell Best, NatureShare ©
Plant Communities