Pterostylis spp.
greenhoods
Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and New Caledonia
Overview
Pterostylis spp. is a genus of about 300 terrestrial orchids known as greenhoods, native to Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and New Caledonia. Plants are tuberous geophytes that grow during the cool, moist months and die back to an underground tuber through the dry season. Each shoot carries either a flat basal rosette or a series of stem leaves, topped by a single hooded flower 0.4 to 2 in (1 to 5 cm) tall. The hood, or galea, is formed from the fused dorsal sepal and petals and is usually translucent green striped with white, though some species add brown or reddish tones. A narrow, hinged lip (labellum) sits within the hood and snaps inward when touched, briefly trapping the small fungus gnats that carry pollen between flowers. Many species multiply by daughter tubers to form colonies. Greenhoods grow in eucalypt woodland, heath, and damp forest floors, often in leaf litter over sandy or loamy soil. Outside their native range they are grown by orchid specialists in pots under cool, nearly frost-free conditions, as the tubers rot in warm, wet summer storage and are easily damaged by disturbance while dormant.
Native Range
The genus is native to Australia and New Zealand, with additional species in New Guinea and New Caledonia. Australia holds the greatest diversity, especially in the temperate south.Suggested Uses
Grown by orchid and native-plant specialists in pots and shade houses in cool-temperate climates. In their native range plants feature in bushland gardens and woodland restoration. Colony-forming species fill shaded pockets among ferns and leaf litter.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 1'4"
Width/Spread2" - 6"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
translucent green, white, and brownFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in dappled to full shade in free-draining, sandy or loamy soil topped with leaf litter. Water keeps the medium moist through the autumn-to-spring growing season, then nearly stops once foliage yellows and the tuber goes dormant. Cool nights and steady air movement reduce fungal rot, the main risk in cultivation. A weak feed during active growth supports tuber size for the next year. Plants are repotted only when dormant, as the tubers and roots break easily. Slugs and fungus gnats are the usual pests.Pruning
No pruning is needed. The single flower and stem wither naturally as the plant enters summer dormancy and can be cleared once fully dry. Spent material is removed at repotting.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons