New Zealand Native Orchids

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Calochilus paludosus

Brown Beard Orchid

Cobb Valley, Nelson November 2016. Photo: Rebecca Bowater
Photo: Rebecca Bowater
Recorded distribution
Recorded distribution

Plant

To 35cm tall. Leaf narrow, fleshy, deeply V-shaped. often glaucous. Stem with several prominent bracts, sometimes leaf-like.

Flowers

Greenish, with maroon striped petals, the column lacking the “eyes” of the other two NZ Calochilus species. Labellum maroon-bearded with long strap shaped tip. Fully open flowers have the petals and sepals widely spread.

Flowering

October - December.

Habitat

Montane to lowland on poor, clay ground and peat wetlands.

Conservation

Scattered localities; naturally uncommon, sparse. In Australia.

Notes

Distinguished by its bare strappy labellum tip and absence of the “eyes” of the other two NZ Calochilus species.

Key features

Densely hairy labellum base and lack of “eyes”.

Photos

Cobb Valley, Nelson November 2016. Photo: Rebecca Bowater
Cobb Valley, Nelson November 2016. Photo: Rebecca Bowater
Rainbow Mountain 22 November 2019. Photo: Bill Campbell
Rainbow Mountain 22 November 2019. Photo: Bill Campbell
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