New Zealand Native Orchids

New Zealand Native Orchid Group
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Pterostylis irsoniana

Greenhood

Okuku Scenic Reserve 28 November 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
Photo: Bill Campbell
Recorded distribution
Recorded distribution

Plant

Medium-sized grass leaved. Leaves and flowers often reddish.

Flowers

Medium sized, 25-30mm tall. Dorsal sepal strongly striped often tinged red or orange. Labellum pale with a prominent dark callus at the base, tapering gradually and curling at the tip, ending with a small dark callus.

Flowering

November - January.

Habitat

Lowland to subalpine open scrub and forest. East Cape to Westland.

Conservation

Often common.

Notes

Hybrids with P. montana have been suspected.

Key features

Flower medium sized, prominently stripey and often highly coloured, labellum protruding with a curled tip ending in a callus.

Photos

Okuku Scenic Reserve 28 November 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
Near St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes 26 November 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
Ruahine Range. Photo: Eric Scanlen
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Greenhood orchids (Pterostylis)
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