An early flowering for Pterostylis x ingens

Down on Tourist Road this afternoon I was surprised to find Pterostylis x ingens in flower. It is regarded by the experts as a naturally occurring hybrid Greenhood Orchid.

Pterostylis x ingens - a natural hybrid Greenhood

This variety of Greenhood is known to occur there. But it has only been seen by me in early November 2007 and late November 2009. 

Side view of Pterostylis  x ingens

Are they flowering very early this year? 

Who knows?

Once again, I can only say that you only find these things in flower IF AND WHEN YOU LOOK FOR THEM. 

Obviously, that only holds true IF they are actually flowering at the time. 

A front-on view of Pterostylis x ingens

 But the point is that a negative record means little or nothing. 

To say I have not seen them flowering this early before could simply mean that I have not looked this early in previous years.

Pterostylis x ingens - a young flower

Incidentally, this hybrid is said to be a cross between Pterostylis nutans (the Nodding Greenhood) and Pterostylis falcata.  
Pt. falcata has been found in 2009 growing close to where these plants are now flowering. Nutans has not been found in this vicinity previously, but it is generally so common that nobody ever queried that as a possible "parent". Well I can say now that today I found two small plants of Pt. nutans growing out in the short grass in a fully open are, along the edge of Tourist Road. A surprising location, but not really a surprise, if you get my point.