Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Orchidaceae Juss.
Genus
Pterostylis R.Br.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Pterostylis nutans R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. 327 (1810)
Synonymy:
  • = Pterostylis matthewsii Cheeseman (1915)
Vernacular Name(s):
Nodding greenhood; Parrot's beak orchid
 Description

Plant c. 5–20–(30) cm. tall. Stem internodes = or much > bracts. Rosette lvs ∞, lamina c. 1.5–3 × 1–2 cm., oblong-ovate, acute to subacute, petiole well-defined, narrowly winged; cauline lvs few, sheathing, bract-like. Fl. us. solitary, remote from highest bract only in tallest plants; top of stem and ovary strongly arched so that fl. faces downwards or even inwards towards stem. Dorsal sepal c. 2.5 cm. tall, rounded, apex acute; lateral sepals very shortly connate, diverging at narrow angle, tips acuminate and hardly overtopping galea, surface minutely rough. Petals ± = dorsal sepal, acute. Labellum narrow-triangular, strongly arched, protruding, apex subacute, its slightly incurved margins ± bristly with short stiff hairs. Column much shorter than labellum; stigma elliptic, rather prominent in N.Z. specimens.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: (Jul.)–Aug.–Sep.–(Oct.)

 Bibliography
Brown, R. 1810: Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van-Diemen. Johnson, London.
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Vagrant]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
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. [Vagrant]
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. [Vagrant]
Jones, D.L.; Clements, M.A.; Molloy, B.P.J 2002: A Synopsis of the Subtribe Pterostylidinae. Australian Orchid Research 4: 129–146.