Citation: Rupp, Orchids N.S.W. 38 (1943).

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

Common name: Sikhs whiskers, Boorroans green-hood.

Description:
Rather slender, 7-15 cm high; leaves in a green or withered basal rosette, very shortly petiolate, acute; lamina 20-30 mm long, elliptical; stem bracts 2-4, closely sheathing and one subtending each pedicel.

Flowers 3-6, in a loose raceme, rather large, reddish-brown or wholly red; galea from the base to the crest c. 12 mm long, the apex produced into a fine recurved 8-10 mm long point; lateral sepals (lower lip) reflexed, the lobes ovate, very hairy outside the thickened upper borders, prolonged into fine diverging tails 10-15 mm long; labellum thick and fleshy, on a movable semicircular claw, very irritable, tip slightly cleft below and turning a little downwards, contracted near the base; lamina c. 3.5 mm long, the basal margin thickened and slightly raised, usually without hairs, in front of this hollowed out for the greater part of its length; undersurface deeply channelled from the base to the tip; lateral margins beset with setae; appendage almost obsolete, represented by the raised basal margin; column c. 9 mm long, incurved, reaching nearly to the top of the galea; wings quadrangular, upper angle rather acute and ciliate, the lower one quite blunt and ciliate, anterior margins with inturned hairs; stigma semielliptical, upper margin notched or toothed.

Published illustration: Gray (1971) Victorian native orchids 2:48; Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 204 as P. tufa subsp. aciculiformis.

Distribution:  Occurs singly or in small groups in alluvial soils or in rocky areas, especially under Callitris species; a locally common but fairly selective plant in areas receiving 250-500 mm mean annual rainfall. S.Aust.: FR, EP, NL, MU, YP.   Qld; N.S.W.; Vic. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Sept. — Nov.

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

Biology: There are several distinct forms at present included under P. boormanii. Putative hybrids have been reported with P. pusilla (NL) and P. excelsus (FR, EP).

Author: Not yet available