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Project Noah Nature School
Pterostylis squamata
Approx. 12cm tall, forming small colonies (pic 4). This orchid is widespread but uncommon around Melbourne. Pic 3 shows the labellum (tongue) recoiled within the hood, during pollination a fungus gnat would land on the labellum and be catapulted into the pollen at the back of the hood, Pic 1 shows the labellum reset. Similar species around Melbourne are P. sanguinea which has a distinct mound at the bottom of the labellum and P. aciculiformis which in known from only 1 site in Melbourne and flowers during nov/dec.
Box-ironbark forest
Spotted on Oct 8, 2014
Submitted on Oct 8, 2014
2 Comments
Hmmm hadn't noticed the resemblance of the labellum to a leggy bug before..... I wonder if theres something to it?
That is one fascinating plant with an interesting story.
The labellum with the white hairs looks like a leggy bug for my money.
Well done Vinny.