Pterostylis, an undescribed Bird orchid.
This ‘Bird’ was tall at 28 – 30 centimetres, and the colour around the opening was
more red than brown. A small orchid in the shape of a bird, with a green flower and a sparse feather-like labellum. A base
of textured pointed leaves near on the ground from a stem clad above right, with a few small leaves along the flower
stem. One flower per plant.
October, well after other Bird orchids in the area had finished.
Bridgetown, South West
region, Western Australia
Bird orchids attract their specific pollinator, a tiny gnat, by emitting a scent from a little pouch at the end of their labellum. The gnat flies in and lands on the feathery looking labellum which springs up, pushing the unsuspecting gnat into the "body" of the bird where the pollen is. You can see the yellow pollen on the stamen through the translucent petals that form the bird-like body, and these give the appearance of eyes on the bird. The gnat then escapes, and after visiting several birds, pollen is shared and they are fertilised. From Inspiration Outdoors
Pterostylis, Bird orchid (above)
Due to the amount of 'feathering' on the labellum, these are unlikely to be Pterostylis
barbata. The brown around the opening excludes Pterostylis turfosa. These may be Pterostylis sigmoidea.
A tiny orchid in the shape of a bird, with a green flower and a feather-like tassel which is the labellum. A base of textured pointed leaves near on the ground from a stem clad with partly upright textured leaves as at below right, with a few small leaves along the flower stem. One flower per plant.
Spring
Bridgetown
Pterostylis barbata, Bird orchid (above)
A tiny orchid in the shape of a bird, with a green flower and a sparse feather-like
labellum. A base of textured pointed leaves near on the ground from a stem clad above right, with a few small
leaves along the flower stem. One flower per plant.
Spring
Bridgetown, and found in the South West, Perth area, southern
Great Southern, with occasional occurrences through the Wheatbelt