Pterostylis laxa

Blackmore Antelope Greenhood
Orchadian 3: 2, figs A-G (1968)
Taxonomic status Accepted
Occurrence status Present
Origin Native
Degree of establishment Native
Threat status
FFG: Endangered (EN)

Flowering plant to 40 cm tall, stem leaves 3–5. Rosette leaves 3–5, ovate, 1.2–2.5 cm long, 0.8–1.6 cm wide, petiolate, margins entire. Flower 2–2.5 cm long, partially nodding, green and white with dark green or brown suffusions in the galea; dorsal sepal with a filiform point to 8–18 mm long; petal margins slightly flared; lateral sepals erect, tightly embracing the galea, sinus flat, notched in the middle, protruding in a shallow curve when viewed from the side, free points 3–3.5 cm long, filiform, spreading, usually recurved or lax. Labellum ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, 10–13 mm long, 2.5–4 mm wide, dark red-brown, the distal quarter to third protruding prominently from the sinus in the set position Flowers Jan.–Apr.

NIS, EGU, HNF, MonT, VAlp. Also NSW, ACT. Restricted to montane forests of north-eastern Victoria, growing among grass on slopes in open-forest, on well-drained soils.

Known to hybridise with P. fischii where the two species grow together.

Source:

Jones, D.L. (1994). Pterostylis. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., ‍Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons‍, pp. 798–830. Inkata Press, Melbourne.

Updated by: Jeff Jeanes, 15 May 2016
Pterostylis laxa (hero image) Spinning
Pterostylis laxa (distribution map) Spinning