Snake tongue greenhood (Pterostylis ophioglossa)
Description
Pterostylis ophioglossa�is a terrestrial,�perennial,�deciduous,�herb�with an underground tuber and a rosette of between four and six egg-shaped leaves. Each leaf is 15�25�mm (0.6�1�in) long and 4�20�mm (0.2�0.8�in) wide. Flowering plants have a similar rosette and a single dull green, brown and white flower borne on a flowering spike 100�250�mm (4�10�in) high. The flowers are 25�30�mm (0.98�1.2�in) long, 10�13�mm (0.4�0.5�in) wide and lean forward. The�dorsal�sepal�and�petals�are joined and curve forward forming a hood called the "galea" over the�column�but the dorsal sepal is longer than the petals and has a pointed tip 2�3�mm (0.08�0.1�in) long. There is a flat, broad U-shaped�sinus�between the lateral sepals which have erect, thread-like tips 22�30�mm (0.9�1�in) long. The labellum protrudes above the sinus and is 13�16�mm (0.5�0.6�in) long, about 3�mm (0.1�in) wide, curved and brown with a deep notch on the end. Flowering occurs between April and July.
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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