Nematoceras papa
Spider Orchid

PLANT: Terrestrial tuberous herb.
3 to 5cm high when in flower.

LEAVES: Single leaf, 3 x 3.5cm, often smaller, orbicular to oblong-oval. Strictly sessile.

FLOWER: Solitary. Flower always above the leaf. 1 - 1.5cm high. Labellum broad, translucent green, with blackish crimson at the back of the labellum. Narrow green margin to the rear lobes of the labellum. Both lateral sepals and petals long, filiform, pointing forward and outward. Petals almost as long as the lateral sepals.

FLOWERING TIME: August to September.

HABITAT: Lowland to montane wet moss-covered banks.
Favours papa clay, limestone, and calcareous siltstone banks.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Not Threatened.

NOTES: Previously tag-named as Corybas "Mt Messenger".
Reasonably common in the hill country of Taranaki.