Greenhood orchids

On a bushwalk with Daddy today, Waratah discovered a patch of greenhood orchids in flower and brought two home for Boronia and me (and to observe more closely).

These are the Nodding Greenhood Orchid, also called the Parrot's Beak Orchid. We discussed why they might have been given that name, and wondered about why they were green instead of brightly coloured.

We learned that the root or tuber can be eaten raw or cooked (but we decided not to try it, as we did not want to damage them, preferring to come back next year and see if we can find them flowering again.)

We also researched how pollination occurs: " a pollinator (always a type of fly for this genus) lands on the lip having been attracted to the color of the flower or in some cases the odor (both color and odor resemble carrion, but they don’t smell bad to humans). The lip, being hinged at its base, springs backward toward the column, thus pinning the poor fly down. The trap then slowly releases and the fly escapes with no prize (Pterostylis produce no nectar), but with luck the pollen of the flower attaches to its back. The fly visits another flower and the process is repeated, this time depositing the attached pollen onto the next flower."

Source: Botany Bay Plant Encyclopedia

We discovered that they were also pollinated by fungus gnats, and mosquitos! 

(Source)

Hunter Valley Backyard Nature also gave us some interesting insights into their lifecycle. We shall be on the lookout for seedpods!