Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Orchidaceae Juss.
Genus
Pterostylis R.Br.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Pterostylis micromega Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. II. (Fl. Nov.-Zel.) Part I, 248 (1853)
Synonymy:
  • = Pterostylis polyphylla Colenso, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 22: 489 (1889 [1890])
  • = Pterostylis furcata var. micromega Hatch (1953)
 Description

Plant to c. 20–30 cm. tall. Stem c. 2 mm. diam., smooth; lower internodes short, upper sts longer than adjacent lvs. Lower lvs rarely forming close rosette; lamina us. c. 5 cm. long, broad-elliptic, subacute, margins often crisply and finely undulate, narrowing to short petiole. Upper lvs foliaceous, sessile, the uppermost sheathing, us. smallest, often reaching but rarely overtopping fl. Fl. solitary, erect, per. often whitish. Dorsal sepal 2.5–4 cm. long, us. smoothly arcuate throughout its length, tip acuminate to shortly caudate, ascending to curved downward; lateral sepals diverging at a narrow angle, tips caudate and overtopping galea. Petals shorter than dorsal sepal acuminate. Labellum narrow-triangular, arched almost in a right angle, protruding, apex narrowly obtuse, margins slightly upturned. Column much shorter than labellum; stigma narrow-oblong, flat.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: (Nov.)–Dec.–Feb.

 Bibliography
Colenso, W. 1890: A description of some newly-discovered Phænogamic plants, being a further contribution towards the making-known the botany of New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 22: 459–493.
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Nationally Critical]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Nationally Endangered]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Nationally Endangered]
Hooker, J.D. 1852–1853 ("1853"): The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror in the Years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. II. Flora Novae-Zelandiae. Part I. Flowering plants. Lovell Reeve, London.
Jones, D.L.; Clements, M.A.; Molloy, B.P.J 2002: A Synopsis of the Subtribe Pterostylidinae. Australian Orchid Research 4: 129–146.