Pterostylis, Genus, curta, Species,
- Genus & species
blunt greenhood
Overview
Pterostylis curta is a deciduous terrestrial orchid in the Orchidaceae family growing 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall from an underground tuber, forming colonies in shaded leaf litter. Each plant produces a basal rosette of 4-7 oval leaves 0.8-2.4 inches (2-6 cm) long. A single green and translucent-white hooded flower 0.8-1.2 inches (2-3 cm) long rises on the stem in winter and spring; the hood (galea) is formed from fused sepals and petals, and the brown-tipped labellum inside is twisted to one side. The flower traps small insects briefly to achieve pollination. After flowering, the plant dies down to the tuber and stays dormant through the dry summer, producing a new tuber each year. Growth depends on a symbiotic soil fungus, which makes the species difficult to transplant or grow outside established colonies.
Native Range
Native to eastern and southeastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania and South Australia, with records in New Zealand. Grows in moist, shaded forest and woodland in leaf litter and humus-rich soil.Suggested Uses
Grown in shaded native orchid collections, terrestrial orchid pots, and woodland gardens with undisturbed leaf litter. Naturalizes into colonies where soil and shade suit it. The summer-dormant habit leaves bare ground for several months, which limits its use as continuous groundcover.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread4" - 8"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 3 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
Grows in part shade to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil under trees, in mild frost-free to lightly frosted climates. Water through autumn, winter, and spring while the plant is in leaf, then reduce water as it dies down for summer dormancy. The tuber rests through the dry season and reshoots in autumn. Growth relies on a symbiotic soil fungus, so plants resent disturbance and are hard to establish from bare tubers. Slugs and snails feed on the rosettes and flowers in wet weather.Pruning
No pruning is needed, as the plant dies down naturally to the tuber after flowering. Spent flower stems can be removed once they yellow. Leaving the leaf litter in place protects the dormant tubers and the soil fungus.Pruning Schedule
Prune: October
late spring
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons
