Indicative distribution
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 chaetophora
Gazetted date:
29 Aug 2014
Profile last updated:
10 Sep 2019
Description
A terrestrial orchid with a slender flowering stem to 40 cm with up to 5 closely sheathing stem leaves. Leave are elliptic to ovate, up to 3.5 cm long and 15 mm wide. Up to 8 leaves form the basal rosette that slightly ascends the stem. The 4 - 10 (12) flowers are 1.5 cm long, semi-erect, transparent with red-brown suffusions.
Distribution
Recorded in Queensland and NSW. In NSW it is currently known from 18 scattered locations in a relatively small area between Taree and Kurri Kurri, extending to the south-east towards Tea Gardens and west into the Upper Hunter, with additional records near Denman and Wingen. There are also isolated records from the Sydney region. The species occurs in two conservation reserves, Columbey National Park and Wingen Maid Nature Reserve.
Habitat and ecology
- The preferred habitat is seasonally moist, dry sclerophyll forest with a grass and shrub understorey.
- The most commonly observed habitat is vegetation characterised by grassy open forests or derived native grasslands of Eucalyptus amplifolia and Eucalyptus moluccana on gentle flats, or that are dominated by Corymbia maculata with any of Eucalyptus fibrosa, Eucalyptus sideroploia or Eucalyptus crebra.
- Flowers from September to November. Vegetative reproduction is not common in this group of Greenhoods, but some species may form more than one dropper annually. Fails to flower in dry seasons.
- Plants are deciduous and die back to the large, underground tubers after seed release. New rosettes are produced following soaking autumn and winter rains.
- Flowers are pollinated by fungus gnats (family Keroplatidae).
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Overshading by native shrubs.
- Lack of distributional information.
- Disturbance to plants, vegetation and substrate by vehicles, foot traffic, rubbish dumping etc.
- Infestation by invasive exotic grasses and other weeds, as well as dominant native shrubs.
- Collection by orchid enthusiasts.
- Slashing or mowing at inappropriate times (i.e. during flowering or when wet) inhibits reproduction and degrades habitat.
- Disturbance to roadside habitats and substrate by road or track maintenance activities.
- Disturbance associated with overgrazing.
- Overgrazing and trampling of flowers by over-abundant native fauna.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological
community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified
0 priority actions
to help recover the Pterostylis chaetophora in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Restore degraded habitat using bush regeneration techniques.
- Control weeds in areas of known habitat.
- Control impacts from recreational activities.
- Map known sites and conduct searches of potential habitat for new sites.
- Monitor the health of known populations.
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