Midland rustyhood (Pterostylis commutata)
Description
Pterostylis commutata is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a rosette of between six and ten leaves. Each leaf is 15–30 mm (0.6–1 in) long and 4–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. Flowering plants have a rosette at the base of the flowering stem but these are usually withered by flowering time. Up to five translucent white flowers with green markings and 45–55 mm (1.8–2.2 in) long and 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide are borne on a flowering spike 100–250 mm (4–10 in) tall. The flowers lean forward slightly and there are three or four stem leaves wrapped around the flowering stem. The dorsal sepal and petals form a hood called the "galea" over the column with the dorsal sepal having a thread-like tip 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long. The lateral sepals are the same width as the galea, dished and have densely hairy edges. They taper suddenly to narrow, thread-like tips 15–30 mm (0.6–1 in) long and parallel to each other. The labellum is green or brown, thin and insect-like, 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. The edges of the labellum are wavy, with short, bristly hairs and there are two longer bristles near the "head" end. Flowering occurs from December to January
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Asparagales
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Family: Orchidaceae
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Genus: Pterostylis
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