Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Orchidaceae Juss.
Genus
Pterostylis R.Br.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Pterostylis montana Hatch, Trans. & Proc. Roy. Soc. New Zealand 77: 239-240 (1949)
Synonymy:
Type: New Zealand. Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island, Nov. 1946, C. Smith [herb. Hatch, no. 564] (holo AK 24628)
  • = Pterostylis montana var. typica Hatch, Trans. & Proc. Roy. Soc. New Zealand 77: 239 (1949) nom. illeg.
  • = Pterostylis gnoma D.L.Jones, Molloy & M.A.Clem. in Jones et al., Australian Orchid Research 7: 299 (2025)
Type: New Zealand. Mauku Falls, Mauku, 7 Nov. 1900, H. Carse s.n. (holo CHR 289652; iso AK 108559)
Etymology:
The Latin montanus, montane, mountains, in reference to habitat.
 Description

Plant c. 3–30–(35) cm. tall at fl. Stem erect, smooth, internodes much < lvs. Lvs up to 6, the size changing from below upwards, the largest lf on a stem to c. 14–(18) × 1 cm., but often much smaller; all linear-lanceolate, acuminate, widest near sessile sheathing base and, except on smallest plants, ± overtopping fl. Fl. solitary, ovary us. erect. Dorsal sepal c. 2–2.5–3 cm. tall, tip ± horizontal, rather abruptly acute to shortly acuminate; lateral sepals diverging from a narrow angle, tips acuminate, separating from one another in young bud, not greatly exceeding galea in mature fl. Petals little shorter than dorsal sepal, broad almost to tip. Labellum oblong, little arched, broad almost to apex, there subacute and often twisted to one side (us. to right), the margins there deflexed as if pinched in about the prominent almost excurrent midrib. Column about as tall as labellum; stigma short, broad, oval to cordate, inclined to be prominent.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Dec.–(Jan.)

 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Gosden, J.; Courtney, S.P.; Fergus, A.J.; Barkla, J.W.; Beadel, S.M.; Champion, P.D., Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Makan, T.; Michel, P. 2024: Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 43. [Not threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Hatch, E.D. 1949: The New Zealand forms of Pterostylis R.Br. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 77(2): 234–246.
Jones, D.L.; Clements, M.A.; Molloy, B.P.J 2002: A Synopsis of the Subtribe Pterostylidinae. Australian Orchid Research 4: 129–146.
Jones, D.L.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Clements, M.A.; Zimmer, H.C. 2025: Nine new species of Orchidaceae from New Zealand and characterisation of seven poorly known taxa. Australian Orchid Research 7: 291–311.