Corybas cheesemanii
Spurred Helmet Orchid

PLANT: Terrestrial tuberous herb.
Up to 1.5 - 2cm high. Stem mostly within the leaf-mould.

LEAVES: Single leaf. Up to 1cm long, orbicular.

FLOWER: Solitary. 8mm high. Various shades of red and creamy-green. Dorsal sepal helmet-like and arches over the labellum. Lateral sepals are tiny, only seen in front view between the spurs. Petals almost non-discernible. Labellum forms a curved tube, and has two spurs either side projecting downward from its base.

FLOWERING TIME: May - August.

HABITAT: Lowland to montane forests and scrub with a deep layer of leaf litter. Mainly beneath Beech, Kanuka, and Taraire trees.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Not Threatened.
Not uncommon in some districts.

NOTES: Often grows with Molloybas cryptanthus.