Pterostylis brevisepala

Pterostylis brevisepala
Near Morangup
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Orchidoideae
Tribe:	Cranichideae
Genus:	Pterostylis
Species:	P. brevisepala
Binomial name
Pterostylis brevisepala (D.L.Jones & C.J.French) D.L.Jones & C.J.French[1]
Synonyms[1]
Diplodium brevisepalum D.L.Jones & C.J.French

Pterostylis brevisepala, commonly known as short-eared snail orchid,[2] is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a loose rosette of leaves at the base of the plant, and a single green and white flower.

Description

Pterostylis brevisepala is a terrestrial, perennial, herb that typically grows to a height of 70–200 mm (2.8–7.9 in) tall and has a rosette of dull green, egg-shaped to elliptical leaves 10–16 mm (0.39–0.63 in) long and 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) wide on a petiole 2–7 mm (0.079–0.276 in) long. There are 3 to 6 egg-shaped leaves on the stem, 8–17 mm (0.31–0.67 in) long 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide. Usually only a single green and white flower 13–15 mm (0.51–0.59 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide is borne on the flowering stem. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused, forming a hood or "galea" over the column and the dorsal sepal has a short point. The dorsal sepal is 16–18 mm (0.63–0.71 in) long, the lateral sepals tightly embrace the galea and are 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long. The petals are 12–15 mm (0.47–0.59 in) long and 4.0–4.5 mm (0.16–0.18 in) wide and strongly curved. The labellum is oblong to elliptical, about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and 2 mm (0.079 in) wide. Flowering occurs from August to early October.[3][4][5]

Taxonomy and naming

This greenhood was first formally described in 2019 by David Jones and Christopher French who gave it the name Diplodium brevisepalum from a specimen collected by French in 2004.[6] In 2018, Jones and French transferred the species to Pterostylis as P. brevisepala.[7] The specific epithet (brevisepala) means "short sepals".[3]

Distribution and habitat

Short-eared snail orchid grows in sand in woodland and on the edges of swamps in near-coastal areas between Perth and Lancelin.[2][3][4][5]

Conservation

Pterostylis brevisepala is listed as "not threatened" in Western Australia by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.[2]

References

1. "Pterostylis brevisepala". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
2. "Pterostylis brevisepala". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
3. Jones, David L. Jones; French, Christopher J. (2019). "New species in the Diplodium nanum (R.Br.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. complex (Orchidaceae) from Western Australia - 7". Australian Orchid Review. 84 (3): 35–37. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
4. Brown, Andrew; Dixon, Kingsley; French, Christopher; Brockman, Garry (2013). Field Guide to the Orchids of Western Australia. Simon Nevill Publications. p. 366. ISBN 978-0-9803481-4-9. OCLC 850906217.
5. Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 416. ISBN 9780646562322.
6. "Diplodium brevisepalum". APNI. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
7. "Pterostylis brevisepala". APNI. Retrieved 1 March 2024.