Although certainly not as common as Pterostylis nutans Nodding Greenhood that was featured in last month’s newsletter, P. curta Blunt Greenhood is another species that forms quite large eye-catching colonies in the district.
Colony of Blunt Greenhoods
The robust flowers with a blunt hood and a strongly twisted labellum distinguish this greenhood from all others.
Blunt Greenhood – close-up of flower
It has a rosette of up to 6 stalked leaves and a flowering stem to 30cm tall bearing a solitary, erect to semi-nodding flower that is translucent white with green stripes. The brown, strongly twisted labellum has a raised central ridge and can be clearly seen through the wide frontal opening. The Aireys Inlet area is the best place to explore for this species, with some large colonies being found on residential blocks. The reserve next to the Aireys Inlet school has a small colony flowering at the present time.
There are many other species of greenhoods that you may find in flower. These include P. concinna Trim Greenhood, P. melagramma Tall Greenhood, P. nana Dwarf Greenhood, P. nutans Nodding Greenhood, and P.pedunculata Maroonhood.
The attractive brown and yellow Diuris pardina Leopard Orchids and the purple Acianthus caudatus Mayfly Orchids with their long slender sepals are in flower, as are the two species of Gnat Orchids Cyrtostylis reniformis and C. robusta. While most of the Helmet Orchids have finished flowering, you may still find some flowers of the Corybas incurvus Slaty Helmet Orchid as you walk the tracks. As we said last month it is a great time to be exploring in the field.
Photographs and descriptions of all of these orchids can be found in Orchids of the Anglesea District available from Angair.