Kingdom Plantae Family Orchidaceae Tribe Diurideae Scientific name Pterostylis valida | Order Asparagales Subfamily Orchidoideae Subtribe Pterostylidinae Rank Species | |
Similar Genoplesium, Caladenia carnea, Pterostylis, Prasophyllum, Thomasia | ||
Pterostylis valida, commonly known as the robust greenhood, is a terrestrial orchid species that is endemic to Victoria, south-eastern Australia. It was considered to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 2009 at the Nardoo Hills Reserves, a nature reserve owned by Bush Heritage Australia in central Victoria.
Contents
Description
The orchid bears two to six translucent green and white striped flowers up to 20 mm long on short stalks. The petals curve inwards, giving the flower a hooded appearance. It flowers: from October to November.
Distribution and habitat
The orchid has a restricted range. Before its rediscovery, the robust greenhood was last seen at Mount Tarrengower near Maldon in 1941, with previous records limited to granite hills in the Maldon area. It had never been recorded in the vicinity of Nardoo Hills, some 90 km north-west of Maldon.