Pterostylis R. Brown
in Prod. 326 (1810) (nom.cons.)

Introduction: Perhaps one hundred twenty species have been described. In Australia the plants are commonly known as 'Greenhoods, Rustyhoods and Maroonhoods' (D.L. Jones). Species in the genus are distributed from New Guinea down to Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia.

Derivation of genus name: The name is taken from the Greek pteron (a wing) and stylis (a column or style) in reference to the broad wings found in all species on the upper part of the column.

Type species: Pterostylis curta R.Br. (type cons.).

Characteristics of genus: Terrestrial herbs with the common feature of having their sepals and petals united into a hooded structure, giving them their popular name. Plants grow from small tubers, in some species producing a rosette of leaves. All species are deciduous. An intriguing feature of the species in this genus is their touch sensitive lip, which flips back against the column wings when tou-ched by an insect thus trapping it. The only way out for the insect is to force its way between the anther and the lip or waiting for the lip to reopen.

Number of species in New Guinea: Three species have been described but it is possible that only two exist.

Habitat: Found in moist situations in open forests, in sandy soils or among rocks.

Conservation status:

Species shown here:
Pterostylis caulescens L.O. Williams
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft from live specimen ex Mt. Giluwe, Western Highlands Province (click link to view full size drawing)
Key to illustration: A: habit and flower; B: column and labellum, side view; C: petal; D: lateral sepals

Pterostylis papuana
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft(click link to view full size drawing)
Key to illustration: A: habit and flower; B: column and labellum, side view; C: petal; D: lateral sepals

View photo:

Pterostylis papuana

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