Drymoanthus flavus
Spotted Fleshy Tree Orchid

PLANT: Epiphytic. Stems to 5cm long, usually much less, erect. Roots very long fibrous rhizomes.

LEAVES: Dull green or yellow-green. Speckled. Fleshy. Oval. 5 cm long by 1.5cm wide. Arranged in 2 rows either side of the stem.

FLOWERS: Panicle to 5cm long with several flowers 4mm across. Flowers open yellow-green and turn yellow as they mature. Sometimes flecked with purple. Labellum yellow, cup-shaped and deeply channelled. Labellum lacks the upright flattened calli as found on Drymoanthus adversus.

FLOWERING TIME: September - December.

HABITAT: Lowland to montane well lit lichen covered trunks and branches.

CONSERVATION STATUS: At Risk - Naturally Uncommon.

NOTES: More prevalent in southern Otago and Southland than other areas. Plant collectors have destroyed some known populations.