Pterostylis psammophila

Orchidaceae

Two-bristle Greenhood,

Veined Greenhood

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plant: Pterostylis psammophila plt Denzel Murfet Sandy Creek CP

plant: Pterostylis psammophila p Denzel Murfet Sandy Creek CP

plant: Pterostylis psammophila pl Denzel Murfet Sandy Creek CP

plant: Pterostylis psammophila plnt Denzel Murfet Sandy Creek CP

flower: Pterostylis psammophila f Denzel Murfet Sandy Creek CP

flower: Pterostylis psammophila fl Denzel Murfet Sandy Creek CP

flower: Pterostylis psammophila Sandy Creek labellum

flower: Pterostylis psammophila Sandy Creek labellum (under)

flower: Pterostylis psammophila and biseta labellums

flower: Pterostylis psammophila and biseta labellums (under)

seed: Pterostylis psammophila JRG726 Seed

seed: Pterostylis psammophila JRG726 Seeds

Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.

Least concern

Near threatened

Rare

Vulnerable

Endangered

Critically endangered

Extinct

Data deficient

Adelaide

Arkaroola

Ceduna

Coober Pedy

Hawker

Innamincka

Marla

Marree

Mount Gambier

Oodnadatta

Renmark

Wudinna

Keith

Yunta

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Prior names

Pterostylis psammophilus

Oligochaetochilus sp. 'Sandy Creek', (R. Bates 34875B)

Oligochaetochilus psammophilus

Oligochaetochilus bisetus, partly

Common names

Two-bristle Greenhood

Veined Greenhood

Etymology

Pterostylis from the Greek ï¿½pteronï¿½ meaning a wing and ï¿½stylisï¿½ meaning a style or column; referring to the prominent wings found at the top of the column in all species. Psammophila from the Greek 'psammos' meaning sand and 'philos' meaning love; referring to the plant's affinity for sandy soil.

Distribution and status

Endemic to South Australia and found only in the southern Mount Lofty Ranges, growing on deep white sand in Callitris and broombush shrub-land. Native. Very rare in South Australia.
Herbarium region: Southern Lofty
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

A deciduous perennial orchid with a single underground tuber from which the leaves and flowers emerge annually. Leaves to 5 cm long with serrated margins in a ground hugging basal rosette of six to 16 ovate overlapping leaves, often partly covered with loose sand. Inflorescence a short and stocky spike to 15 cm high with green or translucent white flowers that quickly senesce. Flowering between August and September. Fruits are brown papery ellipsoid capsule.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between October and December. Collect fat capsules as they start to dry and turn brown. Pods will split and release the seeds quickly and will require monitoring. To increase the chances of collecting mature pods, it is recommended that a small breathable bag (ie. Organza bags) be used to enclose the developing capsules. Place the capsules in a container that will hold fine seeds and leave to dry for a few weeks or until the capsule split. Then carefully hold the capsule and tap it gently to release the seeds. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place or in liquid nitrogen.

Seeds stored:

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Location	No. of seeds (weight grams)	Number of plants	Date collected	Collection number Collection location	Date stored	% Viability	Storage temperature
BGA	48,000 (0.017 g)	6	12-Nov-2019	Sandy Creek CP Southern Lofty	24-Jun-2020	N/C	-18°C
BGA	270,000 (0.093 g)	17	12-Nov-2019	JRG726 Southern Lofty	28-Jun-2021	N/C	-18°C
MSB	142,200 (0.049 g)	3	23-Nov-2020	Sandy Creek CP Southern Lofty	28-Jun-2021	N/C
BGA	130,600 (0.045 g)	3	22-Nov-2021	Sandy Creek CP Southern Lofty	10-Aug-2022	N/C	-18°C

Location: BGA — the seeds are stored at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, MSB — the seeds are stored at the Millennium Seed Bank, Kew, England.
Number of plants: This is the number of plants from which the seeds were collected.
Collection location: The Herbarium of South Australia's region name.
% Viability: Percentage of filled healthy seeds determined by a cut test or x-ray.