Thursday, November 14, 2013

Y..... OH Y CAN'T I FIND A 'Y' PLANT?

Maybe I can find a substitute among the "P or "T" plants so this is not a blank page.  A couple of unusual orchids and a very pretty red pea flower.

 Pterostylis turfosa, a species of orchid known as the Bird Orchid, is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia.  It is a tuberous, perennial herb to 0.18 metres high with green flowers September to October.  A bird...that's for sure:


 Pterostylis recurva is a species of orchid endemic to the southwest of Western Australia . It is a perennial herb and flowers in early spring during August-October.  The flowers are striped green and white and the perianth forms a hollow tube with a hinged lip, which is characteristic of Pterostylis.  The relatively large size of the flowers and their distinctive shape gives them the common name of "Jug Orchird".  It is known to occur in sand, clay, laterite and gravel soils.


Templetonia retusa, commonly known as "Cockies Tongues" is very widely distributed, covering several climate zones from the Western Australia/South Australia border, then around the coast almost to Carnarvon, (over 2,000 km or 1,500 miles) therefore flowering times are likely to vary.


This species can grow to 4 metres (13') but is usually around 2 metres (a little over 6').  In hollows they can grow into thickets particularly over limestone, or as compact isolated shrubs on the sides of steep, stabilised, but very exposed tertiary dunes.  They are also found in mallee areas.


 The blue-green leaves are elliptical and grow to about 4cm long and 2.5 cm wide.  It produces bright orange-red pea flowers around 4 cm (1 1/2") in length, aided by the standard bending back over itself as it matures making them highly visible from a distance.


 The fruit is a flat pod that grows to about 5 cm (2") long and 1 cm wide.



6 comments:

  1. You have a truly amazing variety of plants in your part of the world.

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    1. Thanks Delores and we are so proud of these amazing plants of ours (especially we in the West). Just one more to come and yes, I did find a "Z".

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  2. Hari Om
    'Y', Mimsie do you quibble - these substitute perfectly well!! What a delight that Bird Orchid is!!! YAMxx

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    1. I thought they were a great substitute too so thank you for enjoying them. I expect to see that bird orchid take flight.

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  3. These are gorgeous - and you have posted many, many Y plants in this series. Each Yellow bloom counts...

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    1. Thanks EC and yes they are quite special. You are so right about the "Y" aspect and guess what? The final little flower is yellow, but then of course it would have to be wouldn't it?

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