Pterostylis aspera, hamiltonii, rogersii, scabra, angusta, microglossa, brevichila – Shell Orchids

There are around seven different shell orchids found in the south west. A colony forming orchid, they can sometimes be seen in huge numbers. The typical colony is made up of many plants, only a few of which produce a flower each year. Non flowering plants produce a small rosette of leaves on the ground, while flowering plants do not produce a rosette. The shell orchids are found in almost all areas of the south west from the wet south coast to the dry interior. They are similar in shape to the snail orchids, but are much larger. They are nearly always single flowered, but the occasional double header can be found.

Pterostylis hamiltonii - Red-veined Shell Orchid

The Red-veined Shell Orchid is found in the western wheatbelt, often in association of granite outcrops and Cassurina thickets. It is identified by its large flowers with reddish coloured veins.

Pterostylis hamiltonii - Red-veined Shell Orchid

Pterostylis aspera - Brown-veined Shell Orchid

The Brown-veined Shell Orchid is found mainly in coastal areas between Perth and Albany and is identified by its greenish-brown flowers and the fact that the labellum does not protrude through the sinus (the V formed by the base of the two 'ears').

Pterostylis aspera - Brown-veined Shell Orchid

Pterostylis scabra - Green-veined Shell Orchid

The Green-veined Shell Orchid is common throughout the wheatbelt and is identified mainly by its green colour. It is distinguished from the similar Brown-veined Shell Orchid by its greener colouring and the labellum, which often juts out through the V of the sepals. The labellum of the Brown-veined Shell rarely does this.

Pterostylis scabra - Green-veined Shell Orchid

Pterostylis rogersii - Curled-tongue Shell Orchid

The Curled-tongue Shell Orchid is found in coastal areas between Bunbury and Albany and is identified by its curled labellum with protrudes quite far through the sinus.

Pterostylis rogersii - Curled-tongue Shell Orchid

Pterostylis angusta - Narrow-hooded Shell Orchid

The Narrow-hooded Shell Orchid is found in two widely separate areas - around Bunbury and between The Stirling Range and Narrogin. It is distinguished by the narrow width of the upper part of the flower - it is much narrower than any other shell orchid. The labellum pokes out quite far through the sinus.

Pterostylis angusta - Narrow-hooded Shell Orchid

Pterostylis angusta - Narrow-hooded Shell

Pterostylis angusta - Narrow-hooded Greenhood

Pterostylis angusta - Narrow-hooded Shell Orchid

Pterostlyis angusta - Narrow-hooded Shell Orchid

Pterostylis microglossa - Kalbarri Shell Orchid

The Kalbarri Shell Orchid is similar to the Brown-veined Shell, but is easily distinguished by the smaller flowers and pale green colouring. Like the Brown-veined Shell Orchid, the Kalbarri Shell Orchid's labellum does not protrude through the sinus of the flowers. It is found between Jurien Bay and Kalbarri.

Pterostylis microglossa - Kalbarri Shell Orchid

Pterostylis brevichila - Dwarf Shell Orchid

The Dwarf Shell Orchid is similar to the Brown-veined Shell Orchid and is distinguished by having smaller flowers and a later flowering period. It is also found in completely different habitats. It is found in sandy clay soils under Mallee scrub between Hyden and Israelite Bay. It is not found near the coast, unlike the Brown-veined Shell Orchid.

Pterostylis brevichila - Dwarf Shell Orchid