pterostylis

Illustration of fourteen West Australian orchids, by Emily Pelloe.

Pterostylis, [terro-style-iss} from pteros, a wing, and stylos, a style.

The largest and one of the most interesting genera among Australian orchids, The various species are commonly called “Greenhoods” because of the shape and colour of the flower usually greenish, tinged or streaked with red or brown. The main part of the hood (known botanically as the galea) is formed of the upper sepal and the two lateral petals, lightly attached. The two lower sepals are joined to form a kind of forked door to the front of the hood. The lip usually is irritable, small and tongue like, with a spur at its base, and is placed inside the joined lower sepals. The long column concealed within the hood is winged hence the name Pterostylis.  … Read more