Nature conservation

Threatened species

Waterfall 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 pulchella
Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable
Commonwealth status: Vulnerable
Profile last updated: 18 Mar 2024

Description

Pterostylis - the greenhoods - is a large genus of ground-dwelling orchids with mostly green flowers. The flower is characterised by a ‘hood’ comprising a sepal and two petals, which covers the rest of the flower to force pollinators past the sexual organs. The Waterfall Greenhood has three to five oval-shaped leaves at the base of the single 15 cm tall flower-stem. The stem bears a single large flower and up to five stem-leaves. The flower is white with green stripes and is rusty towards the tip. The labellum (the internal ‘lip petal’) is just visible at the flower opening; it is broad and notched at the tip.

Distribution

The Waterfall Greenhood is found only at Fitzroy Falls, Belmore Falls, upper Bundanoon Creek (Meryla) and Minnamurra Falls.

Habitat and ecology

  • The Waterfall Greenhood is found on cliff faces close to waterfalls and creek banks and mossy rocks alongside running water.
  • Flowers appear from February to May

Regional distribution and habitat

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


Threats

Recovery strategies

Activities to assist this species

Information sources

IBRA Bioregion IBRA Subregion Known or predicted Geographic restrictions region
Sydney BasinIllawarra Known Within 1 km of sandstone escarpment
Sydney BasinMoss Vale Known Within 1 km of sandstone escarpment