Pterostylis nutans R.Br.
P. matthewsii Cheesem. in T.N.Z.I. 47, 1915, 46.
Type locality: Vicinity of Port Jackson, N.S.W. Also in other Australian States except W. Australia.
Plant c. 5–20–(30) cm. tall. Stem internodes = or much > bracts. Rosette lvs ∞, lamina c. 1.5–3 × 1–2 cm., oblong-ovate, acute to subacute, petiole well-defined, narrowly winged; cauline lvs few, sheathing, bract-like. Fl. us. solitary, remote from highest bract only in tallest plants; top of stem and ovary strongly arched so that fl. faces downwards or even inwards towards stem. Dorsal sepal c. 2.5 cm. tall, rounded, apex acute; lateral sepals very shortly connate, diverging at narrow angle, tips acuminate and hardly overtopping galea, surface minutely rough. Petals ± = dorsal sepal, acute. Labellum narrow-triangular, strongly arched, protruding, apex subacute, its slightly incurved margins ± bristly with short stiff hairs. Column much shorter than labellum; stigma elliptic, rather prominent in N.Z. specimens.
DIST.: N. Apparently known in N.Z. only from Kaitaia. H. B. Matthews, and from vicinity of Whangaparaoa Peninsula. L. M. Cranwell, 10/1942.
FL. (7)–8–9–(10).
P. matthewsii Cheesem. Original record: "North Island, Mangonui County, crest of ridge leading to Pukemiro Hill, near Kaitaia, H. B. Matthews". Plants from this collecting were grown in cultivation at least from 1914 to 1920 and are represented in several herbaria. Equated to P. nutans by Rupp (Vict. Nat., Melb. 49, 1932, 152).
