New Zealand Native Orchids

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Pterostylis paludosa

Swamp Greenhood

Volcanic Plateau. Photo: Eric Scanlen
Photo: Eric Scanlen
Recorded distribution
Recorded distribution

Plant

To 30 cm tall, leaves pale yellowish green, stiffly upright, 25-50 x 5-10 mm.

Flowers

Medium sized 8-20 x 5-6 cm. Sepals and petals stout, short, tips almost flat. Lateral sepals straight crossing dorsal close to the tip. Labellum dark, tip constricted, scarcely twisted, stigma heart shaped.

Flowering

October - January.

Habitat

Lowland to montane peaty wetlands, bog loving. Waikato to Ruahines and upper West Coast of South island..

Conservation

Usually scattered plants; At Risk. Waikato, Central North Island and Upper west Coast of South Island.

Notes

Shows affinities to P. montana but is smaller, paler and more chunky and is usually confined to wet areas.

Key features

Plant of wetlands. Small, pale yellowish plants, stout in leaf and flower, stigma heart-shaped.

Photos

Volcanic Plateau. Photo: Eric Scanlen
Volcanic Plateau. Photo: Ian St George
Volcanic Plateau. Photo: Eric Scanlen
Volcanic Plateau. Photo: Ian St George
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Greenhood orchids (Pterostylis)
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