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Pterostylis parviflora

tiny greenhood

Orchidaceae Eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterLow

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Pterostylis parviflora is a small terrestrial orchid in the family Orchidaceae, growing from an underground tuber to a flowering height of 4-12 inches (10-30 cm). Each plant produces a slender stem bearing several stem-clasping leaves and a loose spike of 2 to 12 small flowers. The flowers are about 0.3 inch (8 mm) long, translucent green marked with reddish-brown, formed into a hood (galea) characteristic of greenhood orchids, with narrow, pointed lateral sepals and a hinged labellum. The hinged labellum snaps inward when triggered by a visiting insect, briefly holding small fly pollinators that effect pollination. Flowering occurs in autumn. A basal rosette of leaves is usually absent at flowering in this species, unlike many related greenhoods. The plant grows in eastern Australia in open forest, woodland, and grassland on well-drained soils, frequently in colonies formed by tuber division. Foliage and flowers die back after seed set, and the plant persists underground as a dormant tuber through the dry season. Cultivation requires a free-draining terrestrial orchid mix, a dry summer dormancy, and protection from waterlogging. Colonies increase slowly as tubers multiply.

Native Range

Pterostylis parviflora occurs in eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria and Tasmania. It grows in open forest, woodland, and grassland on well-drained soils, often forming colonies.

Suggested Uses

Grown by terrestrial orchid enthusiasts in pots and protected garden pockets. Suited to native orchid collections and shaded, free-draining bush-garden settings. Shown in colonies where the small flowers are visible together.

How to Identify

Identify Pterostylis parviflora by its slender stem 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall bearing a loose spike of 2 to 12 small green-and-brown hooded flowers, each about 0.3 inch (8 mm) long. Stem-clasping leaves run up the flowering stem, and a basal rosette is usually absent at flowering. The hinged labellum snaps shut when touched. The multiple small flowers per stem separate it from single-flowered greenhoods such as Pterostylis nutans.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'

Width/Spread2" - 4"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Fall

Flowering occurs in autumn, mainly March to May in its native range. Each stem carries 2 to 12 translucent green flowers marked with reddish-brown, arranged in a loose spike. Flowers are small and blend with surrounding vegetation.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

translucent green with reddish-brown

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Tolerates up to 4 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Pterostylis parviflora in a free-draining terrestrial orchid mix of sandy loam and leaf litter in dappled shade. The mix is held lightly moist during the autumn-to-spring growing season, then kept dry through summer dormancy to mimic natural conditions. The tuber rots in soils that stay wet through summer. Cool, frost-free to lightly frosted conditions suit active growth. A leaf-litter topdressing applied each autumn supports growth as it resumes. Colonies multiply slowly as tubers divide, and pots are left undisturbed for several seasons.

Pruning

Spent flower stems can be removed after seed set where self-seeding is not wanted. Pterostylis parviflora dies back naturally to its tuber, so no foliage pruning is required. Dead growth is cleared before the next season begins.