King greenhood
Pterostylis baptistii
Family: Orchidaceae
What it is like
A slender ground orchid. In flowers it grows 40 cm tall. There is a ring of flat leaves near the base. There are small tubers. It grows in colonies. There are a ring of about 8 leaves around the flower stalk. They are oval and 3-6 cm long by about 2 cm wide. The flower occurs singly and has a hood like structure. It is green and white with reddish-brown streaks. The fruit are capsules.
Where it is found
It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in sheltered moist sites in rainforest. It is in well-drained sites with good humus.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The tubers are edible but this would kill the orchid.
Edible parts
Tubers, root