Elegant Greenhood - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Pterostylis elegans

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 06 Dec 2002

Profile last updated: 18 Dec 2020

Description

Elegant Greenhood is a ground orchid which is present for much of the year as a flattened rosette of small oval leaves. When the plant flowers over summer and autumn it produces a slender upright stem 15-28 cm tall with a single small flower at the tip. The flower is an unusual hood-shaped structure 14-18 mm long, green and white-striped, becoming reddish brown near the petal tips.

Distribution

The Elegant Greenhood is known from eight locations, with a restricted distribution from the Barrington Tops to the Walcha district.

Habitat and ecology

The species occurs in NSW, and is known to occur on red-brown loams at elevations between 950 m and 1200 m. It is found among grass and shrubs in tall open eucalypt forest and flowers between January and April.
The species occurs in small numbers at each of the known locations.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Loss of habitat through weed invasion.
Predation by feral pigs.
Disturbance by cattle grazing.
Disturbance from forestry activities.
Disturbance from trampling in the vicinity of camping areas.
Appropriate fire can reduce the thickening of the understory, but too frequent and too intense fire can deplete the seedbank store.
Thickening of the understory over time. Elegant Greenhood can be outcompeted for resources by bracken, blady grass and basket grass.
Thickening of the understory over time. Elegant Greenhood can be outcompeted for resources by English Broom (Cytisus scoparius).

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Control or exclude feral pigs.
Control impacts on Elegant Greenhood from recreational activities.
Control or exclude cattle grazing.
Control weeds in areas of known habitat.
Protect the Elegant Greenhood and its habitat from forestry activities.

Information sources

Jones, D.L. (1997) Six new species of Pterostylis R.Br. (Orchidaceae) from Australia. The Orchadian 12(6): 245-258.
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Pterostylis elegans (a terrestrial orchid) - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

New England Tablelands	Walcha Plateau	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Barrington	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Comboyne Plateau	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Mummel Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Tomalla	Predicted	None

Images

Flower, Elegant Greenhood
Enlarge image

Related information

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