Pterostylis oreophila
ClemeshaFlowering plant 8–20 cm tall, stem smooth. Rosette leaves 3–5, oblong to elliptic, 3–7 cm long, 2–3 cm wide, scattered on the basal part of the stem, sessile, margins entire. Flower 2.5–3 cm long, green and white, erect; galea apex decurved; dorsal sepal subacute to obtuse, similar in length to petals; lateral sepals erect, loosely embracing the galea leaving a lateral gap, sinus deeply v-shaped when viewed from the front, protruding in a shallow curve when viewed from the side, free points linear-tapered, 10–16 mm long, recurved; petals broad, subacute. Labellum ovate-lanceolate, 13–20 mm long, 4–5 mm wide, dark blue-green, subacute, apex often curled, distal third protruding from the sinus in the set position Flowers Nov.–Jan.
EGU, HNF, MonT, VAlp. Also NSW, ACT. Localised in north-eastern Victoria in montane to sub-alpine sphagum bogs and streamsides under thickets of Leptospermum grandiflorum.
Often grows with Pterostylis monticola, but readily distinguished by its dark blue-green labellum and favouring of wetter substrates.
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.