Nodding greenhood, Parrot Beak Orchid
Pterostylis nutans
Family: Orchidaceae
What it is like
A slender orchid. It forms a colony of plants and has tubers. At the base it has a ring of wavy edged leaves. These are oval and 4 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. There are 3-6 leaves. The flower is green and white. They occur singly on flowering stems 30 cm long. The hood is bent over. The tip is curved backwards. The flower is about 2.5 cm across.
There are about 150 Pterostylis species. They are mostly in the Australia and Pacific area.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in coastal ranges. It grows in moist situations. It is mostly in shady sites amongst bracken and shrubs.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), New Zealand, Tasmania (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The tubers are edible but this would kill the plant.
Edible parts
Tuber, root
How it is grown
It is easy to grow.