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. [1] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
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 of up to 35 cm (10 in).
Description
Pterostylis pyramidalis 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 (0.3–0.9 in) long and 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in). The flower stem is 10–35 cm (4–10 in) tall, tall and smooth. The flowers appear from August to October and are green and white, 16 mm–20 mm × 6 mm–8 mm (0.6 in–0.8 in × 0.2 in–0.3 in). Flowering is stimulated by summer fires.[3]
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.[4]
Taxonomy and naming
Pterostylis pyramidalis was first formally described by John Lindley in A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony in 1840.[1] The genus Pterostylis has been reviewed by David Jones and Mark Clements who changed the name from P. pyramidalis to Linguella pyramidalis[2][5][6] but the new name has not been widely accepted, including by the Western Australian Herbarium.[4] The specific epithet (pyramidalis) is derived from the Latin word pyramidis word meaning pyramid-shaped or tetragonal.[7][8]
Conservation status
This species is classified as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.[4]
References
- 1 2 "Pterostylis pyramidalis". APNI. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- 1 2 "Linguella pyramidalis". APNI. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ↑ 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 3 "Pterostylis pyramidalis Lindl". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "With malus toward none" (PDF). With malus toward none. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ↑ Moore (ed.), Bruce (2002). The Australian Oxford Dictionary (1999 ed.). South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press. p. 1095. ISBN 0195507932.