small nodding greenhood

Pterostylis hispidula, is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber. It has a rosette of between three and six egg-shaped to oblong leaves, each leaf 10–40 mm (0.4–2 in) long and 5–15 mm (0.2–0.6 in) wide. The leaves are green to yellowish, have a wavy or crinkled edge and a distinct petiole. A single translucent white flower with green stripes and a reddish tip is borne on a flowering spike 150–300 mm (6–10 in) high, the flower "nodding" or leaning forwards. The flowers are 14–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long, 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide. There is a wide gap at each side of the flower between the petals and the lateral sepals. The lateral sepals have a tapering tip, 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and there is a deeply notched sinus between them. The labellum protrudes from the flower and is 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide, curved, dark-coloured and covered with short, bristly hairs. Flowering occurs from March to July.

Pterostylis hispidula occurs in Queensland south from Fraser Island to Batemans Bay in New South Wales. It grows in a range of habitats from coastal scrub to rainforest margins.

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