Pterostylis glyphida (D.L.Jones) G.N.Backh. APNI* Synonyms: Speculantha glyphida D.L.Jones APNI*
Description: Glabrous, tuberous, terrestrial herb.
Rosette leaves spreading, 3–6 per rosette; lamina ovate to sagittate, 3–12 mm long, 3–6 mm wide, dull green; margins entire; apex acute to apiculate; petioles 3–8 mm long, very slender, narrowly winged. Rosettes absent at anthesis.
Scape slender, relatively sturdy, wiry, 1–7- flowered. Sterile bracts closely sheathing, 3–5, ovate-lanceolate, 5–12 mm long, 2–4 mm wide, acuminate. Fertile bracts closely sheathing, ovate, 3–10 mm long, 2–4 mm wide, acuminate. Pedicels 1–4 mm long, slender. Ovaries obovoid, 7–10 mm long, smooth. Flowers moderately crowded, 1–3 open at once, 10–13 mm long, 4.5–5 mm wide, green and white towards the base, dark brown to blackish brown distally, somewhat shiny, swollen towards the middle; galea inflated at base, erect before curving forwards in an elongate semi-circle; dorsal sepal and petals of similar length, smooth (non-scabrous). Dorsal sepal ovate-lanceolate when flattened, 16–18 mm long, 5–8 mm wide, inflated at the base then tapered to apex, boldly striped, acute to apiculate, smooth. Lateral sepals erect, closely embracing the galea; sinus curved smoothly inwards, the area below bulging when viewed from the side, deeply notched at the centre, margins sloping obliquely upwards; conjoined part 7–9 mm long, 5–7 mm wide, narrowed to 2 mm wide at the base; free points erect, 2–2.5 mm long, linear-tapered, just reaching above the top of the galea. Petals broadly oblong, 10–13 mm long, 2.5–3 mm wide, falcate, dark brown striped with white, acute; flange c. 1 mm across, broadly deltate, obtuse. Labellum erect, the tip not visible through sinus in any position, curved forwards near the apex, dark brown and white. Labellum lamina narrowly obovate-elliptical, 4.5–5.5 mm long, 1.8- 2.2 mm wide, subacute; basal appendage decurved, c. 1.5 mm long, broadest at the base; apex trifid, erect. Callus a raised, central, dark red brown ridge c. 0.3 mm across. Column 6–7.5 mm long, curved away from the ovary at 50° at the base then erect, brown and white. Column wings c. 2 mm long; basal lobe broadly deltate, c. 0.6 mm long, c. 0.6 mm wide, brown, at an angle of 80°; apex broadly obtuse; inner margins adorned sparsely with short, white cilia; mid-section c. 1.2 mm long, brown; apical lobe obliquely erect, filiform, c. 0.8 mm long, acute. Anther c. 1.2 mm long, obtuse. Pollinia linear, c. 1.2 mm long, yellow, mealy. Stigma situated below the middle, obovate-cordate, c. 2.8 mm long, c. 1.5 mm wide, prominently raised. Capsules erect, obovoid to ellipsoid, 9–12 mm long, 3–4 mm wide, on pedicels to 7 mm long.
Flowering: February to April
Distribution and occurrence: In the vicinity of Marulan and Berrima. Open forest and scrub on sandstone pavements and outcrops.
NSW subdivisions: CT
As at August 2025 the relationships of Pterostylis glyphida and similar species are under investigation.
Text by Renner (18 August 2025)
Taxon concept: Jones DL (2008) Two threatened new species of Speculantha (Orchidaceae) from south eastern Australia. The Orchadian 16(1): 30-35.
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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