New Zealand Native Orchids

New Zealand Native Orchid Group
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Pterostylis irwinii

Greenhood

St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes 25 November 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
Photo: Bill Campbell
Recorded distribution
Recorded distribution

Plant

15-20 cm tall, medium-sized, slender-leaved. Leaves 5-20 cm x 4-5 mm.

Flowers

Medium sized 10-15mm tall erect. Lateral sepals scarcely longer than the dorsal sepal, straight, leaning forward to cross the dorsal sepal well towards the tip, creating a wide gape, exposing much of the labellum when viewed from the side. Labellum dark reddish brown, gradually tapered, tip just protruding between the laterals.

Flowering

November - December.

Habitat

Damp ground in light scrub or forest, often on fertile soils, limestone and volcanic. Central North Island to Nelson and Marlborough.

Conservation

Threatened - Nationally Endangered..

Notes

Like P. porrecta and P. irsoniana but distinguished by the wide gap between dorsal and lateral sepals.

Key features

Medium sized flower with straight lateral sepals crossing the dorsal sepal.

Photos

St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes 25 November 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes 25 November 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes 25 November 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
Arthur’s Pass. Photo: David McConachie
Erua. Photo: Ian St George
Erua. Photo: Eric Scanlen
Erua. Photo: Ian St George
Erua. Photo: Ian St George
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Greenhood orchids (Pterostylis)
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