Pterostylis excelsa M.A.Clem. 1986 SECTION Oligochaetochilus

Photo by © Peter Kiernan and The Orchid COalition Habitat Preservation Website

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Common Name The Lofty Pterostylis [prefers to its very long inflorescence] - In Australia The Tall Rustyhood

Flower Size 1.2 to 1.4" [3 to 3.5 cm]

Found in South Australia in mallee shrublands and under low shrubs at elevations of 50 to 200 meters as a medium to large sized, cold growing terrestrial orchid with a rosette of 5 to 20 leaves that blooms in the Australian winter and spring with an erect, 12 to 36" [30 to 90 cm] long, 2 to 20 flowered inflorescence.

Synonyms Oligochaetochilus excelsus (M.A.Clem.) Szlach. 2001; Oligochaetochilus validus (Nicholls) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.2002; Pterostylis squamata var. valida Nicholls 1941; Pterostylis valida (Nicholls) D.L.Jones 1994

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Native Orchids of Australia Jones 2006 as Oligochaetochilus excelsus photo fide; Native Orchids of Australia Jones 2006 as Oligochaetochilus validus; AOS Bulletin Vol 80 #8 2011 as Oligochaetochilus validus photo fide;

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