Pterostylis sanguinea
red-banded greenhood
Southern and south-western Australia
Overview
Pterostylis sanguinea, the red-banded greenhood, is a terrestrial orchid that grows from an underground tuber and produces a single erect flowering stem 10-35 cm (4-14 in) tall. Each stem carries from three to fifteen hooded flowers held along its upper part, with small stem leaves below. The flowers are green and translucent, marked with reddish-brown to dark red bands, and form a hood over a hinged, touch-sensitive lip. When an insect lands on the lip, it springs inward and briefly traps the visitor against the column, aiding pollination by small flies and fungus gnats. The plant grows in woodland, open forest, and shrubland on well-drained soils across southern and south-western Australia, often forming colonies through daughter tubers. Growth begins with autumn and winter rains, flowering follows in winter and spring, and the plant dies back to its tuber over the dry summer. It depends on soil fungi, which makes it hard to grow away from its natural habitat.
Native Range
Native to southern and south-western Australia, including Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria. It grows in woodland, open forest, and shrubland on well-drained soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in native and terrestrial-orchid collections and in pots by specialist growers. Suited to undisturbed woodland gardens and as a colony in free-draining native beds. Adds winter and spring interest to shaded native plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'2"
Width/Spread2" - 4"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
green with red-brown bandsFoliage 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
Grows in part to full shade with sharp drainage on sandy or loamy soils. Active growth runs from autumn through spring, with water needed only during the cool growing season and none over the summer dormancy. Soil fungi associated with the tubers are needed for seed germination and long-term survival, which limits cultivation to specialist growers. The colony-forming tubers can be grown in pots of free-draining mix kept dry over summer. Light frost is tolerated during growth. Overwatering in summer rots the dormant tubers.Pruning
No pruning is required. The flowering stem and leaves wither naturally as the plant enters summer dormancy. Dried growth can be cleared once the plant has died back.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons