Orchid species from New Zealand

[joan gero]

We looked for native orchids on all our New Zealand walks around the South Island recently, but most species bloom in the spring (and now it's mid-late summer). The one epiphyte that was common and in bloom was Earina autumnalis, spotted often with binoculars and finally on a fallen bough. It's a pretty thing and I wondered if anyone knows whether this Earina or the other common one (Earina mucronata) are used in any commonly grown hybrids?

[made4engineering]

I dont think its related closely enough to much of anything, but its a cute one! I want it!

[kmarch]

It's ADORABLE!!!! I wonder if they're in cultivation in Australia?

[exasperatus2002]

thats a cute chid.

[epiphyte]

Thanks for posting those photos... love seeing orchids in their native habitat. Looks like it receives quite a lot of rain there.

[patticake]

That's one sweet little orchid! Thanks for the photos! I think it's soo cute!

[sandra]

Quite a site Joan, all these pics. These little Earina remind me of buttercups, very dainty and pretty. Hoping you had a great time on your trip.

[Halcyon]

Thank you for those photos, Joan. As a relocated Kiwi I feel quite homesick!

Have you planned your next trip yet, so you can see the rest of the orchids blooming... in Spring?! That Earina is really lovely.

[Andrew]

Given the difficulty in exporting native orchids from New Zealand, if it has been used in hybridising, its use has most likely been restricted to New Zealand breeders. I have seen Earina autumnalis benched in Australia, however, I imagine clones outside of New Zealand are unlikely to be of a quality that warrants extensive breeding (as is typical of difficult to obtain species). Cute little orchid none the less.

[joan gero]

Andrew, I now notice your avatar orchid, the wonderful extraordinary greenhood (Pterostylis) -- although I can't tell one variety from another, I confess. They are sooooo wonderful! I could spot the post-bloom plants often on the forest floor, with their shriveled dried-up hoods, but it was too late in the season to see any still green. They are really a marvelous funky spunky little design!

We also could locate Corybas leaves (no blooms) and the Gastrodia orchids that have no chlorophyll... they were still in "bloom" with their haunting ghostly forest-colored forms... Really, altogether it was one of the most exciting glimpses into new orchid arrangements and principles! New Zealand is so wonderously strange! I'd love to see some of the strange Bulbophylums of NZ, and the Sun Orchid (Thelymitra), but that will have to be another trip!!! We were blown away!

[Andrew]

Joan,
The species in my Avatar is Pterostylis grandiflora, one of the autumn flowering cauline greenhoods. I'm not sure if this species has managed to spread across the Tasman. As you mentioned Corybas, I've got to say that I am in love with NZ's 'spider orchids'. They're so different from any Corybas we get in these parts. If you get to see any in flower please post photos.