Scientific Name: Pterostylis nana

Common Name: dwarf greenhood

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Form Description: Tasmania’s only snail greenhood. 4-8 oval leaves, forming a rosette at the base and 1-2 stem leaves. Slender, smooth to slightly rough stem.

Height (m): 0.05 – 0.15

Flowers: Small, bright green and white-striped flower held erect. Lateral sepals erect, protruding well above the hood. Labellum hidden.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCircular HeadDorsetFlindersGeorge TownKentishKing IslandLatrobeLauncestonNorthern MidlandsWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Coastal VegetationHeath
Habitat Notes

Relatively common in coastal and near coastal heathland and scrub in the south-east, east and north and Bass Strait islands.

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.