Ptyerostylis (Greenhoods)
The flowers of the Pterostylis (Greenhoods) genus, as the name implies are usually green. Many species of this native orchid also have white or transparent areas though sometimes with a brown or reddish tinge. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused to form a hood-like structure. Greenhoods generally but not always prefer a damper environment such as a shaded or sheltered habitat, in a damp mossy area, shaded hillside or near a stream-bed.
Pterostylis (Greenhood) orchid Flowering times
Most but not all Ptyerostylis (Greenhoods) flower through the cooler months including right through the winter. They are the most commonly seen orchids around Hobart during the winter. Species such as Pterostylis williamsonii, brown lipped greenhood, stenochila, greenlipped greenhood and melagramma, black striped greenhood are widespread on the foothills of Mt wellington and the Eastern shore around the Southern beaches, Sandford and South Arm. Slightly later the widespread Pterostylis nutans (nodding greenhood) is common from July in both coastal and mountain hillside locations. The Tasmanian Native Orchid Facebook page shows many images of what’s flowering through the year.
During summer the very small parviflora – tiny greenhood- is common on dry mudstone hills and open forest locations around Hobart. On the higher slopes of Mt Wellington, Pterostylis decurva (Summer Greenhood) comes into flower from November through December and January. Locations around 600 m are worth searching.
More rarely seen, the summer flowering Pterostylis atriola (Snug greenhood) might be found in the hills behind Snug and is another of the small number of greenhoods flowering in the warmer months.
