Scientific Name: Pterostylis atriola Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: snug greenhood

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Threatened Species Status: Rare

Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.

Form Description: A tiny slender multi-flowered greenhood with a wiry scape, 3-6 dark green rosette leaves, margins entire.

Height (m): 0.08 – 0.16

Flowers: 1-10 tiny green white and brown-striped flowers. 2-4 open at once. Dorsal sepal similar length to petals. Labellum hidden.

Municipality
Break O’DayCentral CoastDorsetKingboroughWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Dry Eucalypt Forest
Habitat Notes

Occurs in the north and east on generally stony soil in dry to damp sclerophyll forest, typically with an open understorey e.g. shrubby Eucalyptus obliqua forest, shrubby/heathy Eucalyptus amygdalina forest. Found near coast to 700m elevation but is most strongly associated with winter cold sites (e.g. Snug Tiers) or areas receiving a moderately consistent rainfall.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Specialist Method

Seed Information

Seed Treatment Notes

Orchid seeds are very minute yellow, brown or blackish dust-like particles. Orchid seeds are produced within a capsule that splits at maturity and releases thousands to millions of seeds. Dispersed by wind and water and only germinate following infection of the embryo by a suitable mycorrhizal fungus. Very few seeds become mature plants. For more information see Jones, Wapstra, Tonelli, Harris (1999): The Orchids of Tasmania.