Blue-tongued 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 oreophila

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 09 Nov 2007

Profile last updated: 18 Oct 2022

Description

The Blue-tongued Greenhood is a terrestrial orchid, with up to five leaves in a basal rosette before flowering. The leaves are later arranged loosely along the 20 cm tall flowering stems. The leaves are oval in shape, to 70 mm long and 20 mm wide. The flower is solitary, erect, predominantly white with narrow green stripes, somewhat bulky (the hood-like structure being about 2.5 cm long). Flowers have a curved lip of a distinctive bluish or blue-green (aqua) colour. It flowers from November to January.

Distribution

In New South Wales, the Blue-tongued Greenhood is known from a few small populations within Kosciuszko National Park and a population of about 40 plants (possibly now extinct) in Bago State Forest and adjoining Crown Leases south of Tumut. The known distribution includes parts of the Snowy River, Tumbarumba and possibly Tumut Local Government Areas. The Blue-tongued Greenhood is also known from the Australian Capital Territory (Brindabella Range) and in montane areas of far north-eastern Victoria.

Habitat and ecology

Grows along sub-alpine watercourses under more open thickets of Mountain Tea-tree in muddy ground very close to water.
Less commonly grows in peaty soils and sphagnum mounds.
While more frequently found in low-light conditions it appears to also be able to tolerate full sun.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Rooting by feral pigs.
Mineral fossicking at some sites.
Threats from environmental and demographic stochasticity due to the narrow areas of occupancy, small population sizes, and dispersed distribution of populations.
Altered hydrology due to adjacent land uses
Altered hydrology due to climate change.
Logging leading to sedimentation and drying out of sites.
Inappropriate fire regimes.
Possible illegal collection.
Insufficient understanding of distribution.
Insufficient understanding of taxonomy.

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

Fence populations to prevent rooting by feral pigs.
Fence populations to prevent grazing and trampling by cattle and wild horses.
Do not conduct control burns in sphagnum bog habitat.
Prevent disturbances from logging adjacent to habitat.
Take care in track construction or other works that may lead to alteration to drainage patterns near populations.

Information sources

Bishop, T. (2000) Field Guide to the Orchids of New South Wales and Victoria. (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
Clemesha, S.C. (1974) A new Pterostylis from southern New South Wales. The Orchadian 4, 100-102.
Jones, D.L. (1998) Contributions to Tasmanian orchidology 1-9. 7: A taxonomic review of Pterostylis in Tasmania. In: Banks DP (ed.), Australian Orchid Research vol. 3. (Australian Orchid Foundation, Seven Hills, NSW
Jones, D.L. (2006) A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. (Reed New Holland, Frenchs Forest NSW.)