Pterostylis pyramidalis
| Pterostylis pyramidalis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Subtribe: | Pterostylidinae |
| Genus: | Pterostylis |
| Species: | P. pyramidalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Pterostylis pyramidalis Lindl. | |
Pterostylis pyramidalis, commonly known as the Tall snail orchid or Leafy snail orchid is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. As suggested by one of its common names, it can be distinguished from other snail orchids by its height (up to 35 cm).
Description
P. pterostylis has 3 or 4 leaves bunched near the base and 6 or 7 scattered up the flower stalk, with those near the base having a petiole (stalk) and those further up sessile (stalkless). The leaves are 8–23 mm long and 8–12 mm wide. The flower stem is 100–350 mm tall and smooth. The flowers appear from August to October and are green and white, 16–20 mm x 6–8 mm. Flowering is stimulated by summer fires.[1]
Distribution and habitat
The Tall snail orchid grows on grey-black peaty sand on the margins of swamps. It sometimes forms large colonies often with the flowers partly submerged. It occurs in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographic regions of Western Australia.[2]
Taxonomy and naming
P. pyramidalis was first described by John Lindley in A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony (Appendix liii) in 1840.[3] The genus Pterostylis has been reviewed by Jones et al. and P. pyramidalis has been renamed Linguella pyramidalis (Lindl.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.[4][5] The specific epithet (pyramidalis) is the Latin word meaning pyramid-shaped or tetragonal.[6]
Conservation status
This species is classified as Not Threatened.[2]
References
- ↑ Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 299. ISBN 1877069124.
- 1 2 "Pterostylis pyramidalis Lindl". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia.
- ↑ "Pterostylis pyramidalis Lindl.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ↑ Jones, David L.; Clements, Mark A. (2002). Australian Orchid Research Volume 4. Australian Orchid Foundation. p. 75. ISBN 0642549044.
- ↑ Jones, David L.; Clements, Mark A. "Australian orchid name index (13/6/2008)" (PDF). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research/Australian National Herbarium. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ↑ "pyramidalis". Wiktionary. Retrieved 29 January 2015.