Pterygodium hastatum flowers

The flowers of Pterygodium hastatum grow in a usually lax inflorescence comprising three to eight flowers. Flower fragrance varies, sometimes intense and soap-scented. Flower colour is pale green to cream.

Small pointed bracts adhere to the green flower ovaries. The dorsal sepal flanked by the lateral petals form a shallow hood over the column. The hood that is up to 1,3 cm in diameter may be spotted purple on the inside. In picture the spots are restricted to the very top of the hood.

The margins of the outwardly bulging petals are very wavy and uneven. The pale greenish lateral sepals, ovate with pointed tips, are positioned slightly below the flower centre, outside the petals. The lip becomes up to 5 mm long, while its appendage is erect, up to 8 cm long; the tip of which is three-toothed.

Flowering happens from midsummer to mid-autumn (Pooley, 1998; Germishuizen and Fabian, 1982).