New Zealand Native Orchids

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Corybas macranthus

Silver Back Spider Orchid

Dome Valley 3 October 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
Photo: Bill Campbell
Recorded distribution
Recorded distribution

Plant

Forms large colonies. Flower stem usually originating well below the leaf and may be only visible because the lateral sepals and petals appear above the leaf, although sometimes the flower can be found above the leaf.

Flowers

Large, labellum widely flared, dark red with a pale cream inner part. Dorsal sepal narrow and just shorter than the labellum top or slightly longer.

Flowering

October - January.

Habitat

Dry or well drained places with high fertility such as limestone; lowland to montane. Throughout.

Conservation

Widespread, common, not threatened.

Notes

Intermediate forms, probably hybrids with other species have been recorded.

Key features

Dark widely flared labellum, flower often hidden below leaf.

Photos

Dome Valley 3 October 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
Dome Valley 3 October 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
Dome Valley 3 October 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
Dome Valley 3 October 2022. Photo: Bill Campbell
Kauaeranga Valley 31 October 2007. Photo: Jeremy R. Rolfe
Kauaeranga Valley 31 October 2007. Photo: Jeremy R. Rolfe
Kauaeranga Valley 31 October 2007. Photo: Jeremy R. Rolfe
Remutaka Incline 28 October 1994. Photo: Jeremy R. Rolfe
Kauaeranga Valley 31 October 2007. Photo: Jeremy R. Rolfe
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Spider orchids (Corybas)
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