Snug greenhood

Description

Pterostylis aphylla is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber. Non-flowering plants have a rosette of dark green leaves 4–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long and 3–8 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide. Flowering plants have up to five moderately crowded green and white flowers with a dark brown tip, on a flowering spike, 70–150 mm (3–6 in). The dorsal sepal and petals are fused, forming a hood or "galea" over the column. The dorsal sepal is erect near its base, then curves forward with a short point. The lateral sepals are erect, held closely against the galea with thread-like tips about 3 mm (0.1 in) long that do not project above the galea. The sinus between the bases of the lateral sepals curves inward and has a small notch in the centre. The labellum is about 3 mm (0.1 in) long, 71 mm (3 in) wide, dark brown and not visible outside the intact flower. Flowering occurs from October to March