Citation: Blackmore & Clemesha, Orchadian 2:150 (1968).

Synonymy: P. rufa sensu J. Black, Fl. S. Aust. 248 (1943), non R. Br.

Common name: Rusty-hood, veined green-hood.

Description:
Moderately robust, usually 10-35 cm high; leaves generally numerous in a withered basal rosette at the time of flowering, shortly petiolate; lamina c. 1.5 cm long, moderately acute and usually ovate or oblong; stem bracts 2-5, scarious, acute, loosely sheathing, one subtending each pedicel.

Flowers rather large, usually 2-6, rarely 1, on long slender pedicels, greenish or brownish; galea from the base to the crest 10-30 mm long, broad, incurved, the apex produced into a fine point usually 10-15 mm long; lateral sepals (lower lip) recurved or reflexed, about as long as the galea; the lobes elliptical, produced into fine points or caudae 25-45 mm long; labellum attached by rather a long claw to the foot of the column, membranous, rather narrow-oblong, the tip entire, blunt and turned upwards; the lamina c. 6 mm long, the posterior margin thickened and forming a transverse ridge in front of the claw, a central longitudinal ridge on the upper surface of the lamina, channelled below; 2 long setae on the basal swellings, the lateral margins and tip sparsely ciliate; appendage almost obsolete, represented by a thickened posterior margin; column incurved, 8-15 mm long, reaching to the top of the galea; wings almost square; upper angle acute, ciliate, anterior margins inturned, ciliate, lower lobe rather blunt, ciliate; stigma narrow-elliptical.

Published illustration: Gray (1971) Victorian native orchids, 1:44; Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 203; Woolcock (1984) Australian terrestrial orchids, pl. 53B.

Distribution:  Occurs in small groups in a variety of soil types, especially in rocky areas or in sand dunes with Callitris species inland; in scrublands or open mallee, often in rather arid situations. Locally common.   N.S.W.; Vic. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Sept. — Dec.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: A short plant with flowers on very long pedicels and placed on or close to the ground has been collected near Mt Bryan (NL) and a similar form occurs on EP. Rarely the labellum is replaced by a simple unadorned petal.

Author: Not yet available