Microtis arenaria
Notched Onion Orchid

PLANT: Terrestrial tuberous herb.
Up to 25cm high when in flower. Entire plant has a yellow tinge.

LEAVES: Single tubular leaf. The flower stem emerging from within the leaf about one third to half way up the leaf.

FLOWERS: 5 - 20 flowers per raceme. Each approximately 4mm long. Greenish-yellow in colour. Tip of the dorsal sepal acute and upturned. Lateral sepals curled backwards. Edge of the labellum coarse as in Microtis unifolia, but with a prominent bi-lobed tip that creates a distinctive V notch at the end of the labellum.
Ovary has a distinctive "humpbacked" appearance.

FLOWERING TIME: October - November.

HABITAT: Dry open areas in scrub and gumland.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Data Deficient.

NOTES: So far identified from the Far North and Hawkes Bay,
but may occur elsewhere.