Pterostylis truncata, commonly known as the brittle greenhood or little dumpies,[2] is a species of orchidendemic to eastern Australia. It is easily distinguished from other greenhood orchids by its short habit and relatively large, "dumpy", green, white and brown flowers. It is widespread and common in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory but is classed as "endangered" in Victoria due to habitat loss as a result of urbanisation.
Description
When not flowering, Pterostylis truncata has a rosette of between two and six bright green, egg-shaped to lance-shaped leaves, each leaf 10–35 mm (0.4–1 in) long and 5–18 mm (0.2–0.7 in) wide. When it flowers it produces a single white flower with green and brown stripes, borne on a spike 50–150 mm (2–6 in) high. There are between two and five stem leaves closely wrapped around the flowering spike. The flowers are 35–45 mm (1–2 in) long, 7–20 mm (0.3–0.8 in) wide and inflated, leaning forward with a downturned tip. The dorsalsepal has a sharp point and the petals turn inwards underneath it. The lateral sepals have a deep V-shaped sinus between them and each sepal has a thread-like tip 25–30 mm (0.98–1.2 in) long.[3][2][4][5][6]
Taxonomy and naming
Pterostylis truncata was first described in 1878 by Robert FitzGerald from a specimen collected near Mittagong and the description was published in Fitzgerald's book Australian Orchids.[1] The specific epithet (truncata) is a Latin word meaning "to maim or shorten by cutting off".[7]
^ abcJones, David L. "Pterostylis truncata". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: plantnet. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
^ abJones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 297. ISBN978-1877069123.
^G.R. Coachrane, B.A. Fuhrer, E.R. Rotherham (chairman), J.H. Willis (1968). Australian Flora in Colour: Flowers and Plants of Victoria. Kyodo Printing Co. Tokyo: A.H. & A.W. Reed Company. pp. 75 Figure 203.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ abcJeanes, Jeff. "Pterostylis truncata". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria: vicflora. Retrieved 26 April 2017.