Pterostylis scabrida, commonly known as the rough greenhood, is a species of orchid endemic to Tasmania. It has a rosette of leaves at the base of the plant and a single green and white flower on a rough stem. It is widespread and common in wet forests and is one of the few species of Pterostylis to grow in rainforest.
Pterostylis scabrida is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a rosette of dark green leaves loosely surrounding the base of the flowering stem. Each leaf is 30âÂÂ60 mm long and 8âÂÂ10 mm wide. A single green and white flower 20âÂÂ25 mm long and 14âÂÂ16 mm wide is borne on a rough flowering stem 80âÂÂ250 mm high. The sepal and petals are fused, forming a hood or "galea" over the column. The dorsal sepal is the same length as the petals and curves forward with a pointed tip. There is a wide gap between the galea and the sepals. The lateral sepals are erect and have thread-like tips 14âÂÂ16 mm long and a slightly bulging, V-shaped notch sinus between them. The labellum is 12âÂÂ15 mm long, about 3 mm wide, brown and curved and protrudes above the sinus. Flowering occurs from October to February.
Pterostylis scabrida was first formally described in 1840 by John Lindley and the description was published in his book, The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants. The specific epithet (scabrida) is a Latin word meaning "rough" or "rugged".
The rough greenhood is widespread and common in wet forests, including rainforest, throughout Tasmania.