Hymenochilus tristis
Syn: Pterostylis tristis
Midget Greenhood

PLANT: Terrestrial tuberous herb.
Tiny. 2 - 10cm high. Resembles Hymenochilus tanypodus but more slender and with smaller flowers.

LEAVES: Basal rosette of oval leaves. Yellow green or brownish, sometimes mottled. Sheathing leaves surround the stem.

FLOWERS: 1 - 6 flowers. 5 - 10mm high. Striped brownish-green. Lateral sepals join together and point downward. Labellum has no forward projecting knob as in Hymenochilus tanypodus. Edges of the petals are minutely toothed.

FLOWERING TIME: October - January.

HABITAT: Montane to subalpine grassland and shingly open places.

CONSERVATION STATUS: At Risk - Naturally Uncommon.

NOTES: Easily overlooked due to its diminutive size.