# Manual of the New Zealand Flora/Orchideæ

Additions and Corrections
Order LXXIX. ORCHIDEÆ.
Herbs, either terrestrial and tuberous-rooted, with annual herbaceous stems; or epiphytes with creeping rhizomes emitting fibrous or fleshy roots and bearing simple or branched leafy stems often thickened into pseudobulbs. Flowers hermaphrodite, solitary or in spikes or racemes or panicles, often large and showy. Perianth superior, irregular, of 6 free or more or less combined segments, in 2 series; the 3 outer (sepals) all similar or the dorsal one larger and more concave than the 2 lateral which are always alike; the 3 inner (petals) always dissimilar (except in Thelymitra), the 2 lateral alike, but the third (called the lip, or labellum) usually exceedingly different, often spurred, lobed, fringed, or furnished with glands or other appendages. Stamens and style confluent into a fleshy variously shaped central body facing the lip, called the column; anther usually solitary (2 in Cypripedium), placed on the front, top, or back of the column, and either free or adnate to it, persistent or deciduous, usually 2-celled; pollen granular or waxy, usually cohering in each cell into 1, 2, or 4 pairs of pollen-masses (pollinia), which are either free or attached, directly or by a caudicle, to a gland on the apex of the stigma (rostellum). Ovary inferior, 1-celled; ovules numerous, on 3 parietal placentas; stigma a viscid depression towards the top or on the front of the column, below the anther, facing the lip, upper margin often produced into a beak or point called the rostellum. Fruit a 1-celled 3-valved capsule; seeds numerous, very minute; testa loose, reticulate; albumen wanting; embryo solid, fleshy.
A very extensive and distinct family, found in almost all parts of the world, but rare or absent in extreme northern or southern latitudes, and on the tops of high alpine mountains. Most of the species found in temperate countries are terrestrial; but in the tropics the greater number are epiphytes, growing upon the branches or trunks of trees or on rocks. The genera are estimated at 340, the species at 5000. Notwithstanding the great extent of the order, it is singularly deficient in useful plants. The only one possessing any commercial importance is vanilla, the scented pods of which are used for flavouring delicate dishes or liqueurs. The great beauty and singularity of the flowers of many of the tropical species have caused them to be extensively cultivated in hothouses, and probably over 2000 distinct species are now grown by European horticulturists.
The close affinity existing between the flora of New Zealand and that of Australia is nowhere better shown than in the Orchideæ. Out of 21 genera found in New Zealand, 19 occur in Australia as well, and 8 are absolutely confined to the two countries, while several others have a very limited additional range. The only genera with a wide distribution are Dendrobium, Bulbophyllum, and Spiranthes. Earina, which does not occur in Australia, is found in the Pacific islands, while Townsonia is endemic.
A. Epiphytes with creeping rhizomes, perennial stems, and evergreen leaves. Pollinia waxy, free or attached by caudicles to the rostellum. :
| * Pollinia free. |
| The New Zealand species with slender much-branched stems, no pseudobulbs and axillary flowers. Lateral sepals and lip adnate to the base of the column | 1. Dendrobium. ​ |
| The New Zealand species forming small matted patches on the trunks of trees, furnished with pseudobulbs. Flowers on a scape rising from the base of the pseudo bulb. Lip jointed on to the base of the column, mobile | 2. Bulbophyllum. |
| Stems leafy, unbranched. Flowers in terminal panicles. Lateral sepals free. Lip 3-lobed | 3. Earina. |
| ** Pollinia attached to the rostellum by a caudicle. |
| Stems short, leaves few. Flowers small, in lateral racemes. Lip 3-lobed | 4. Sarcochilus. |
| B. Terrestrial, with tuberous roots and annual steins. Pollinia granular or powdery. ||
| * Leaves long, very narrow-linear, flat or terete. |
| a. Leaves more than one. |
| Flowers numerous, on a spirally twisted spike. Dorsal sepal and petals connivent into a hood. Lip undivided | 5. Spiranthes. |
| Flowers several, spicate. Dorsal sepal broad, hooded; lateral linear or filiform, erect. Lip 3-lobed | 7. Orthoceras. |
| b. Leaf solitary. |
| Sepals, petals, and lip all similar in shape, petaloid. Column very short, not attached to the lip at the base | 6. Thelymitra. |
| Dorsal sepal concave. Petals much smaller. Surface of lip covered with long hairs. Column very short | 14. Calochilus. |
| Dorsal sepal concave. Lip uppermost, undivided, usually with an adnate gland on tbe disc. Column very short, with two lateral erect appendages | 9. Prasophyllum. |
| Dorsal sepal concave. Lip below, entire or 2-lobed. Column very short | 8. Microtis. |
| Sepals and petals all linear. Lip uppermost, articulate, clawed; lamina peltate, irritable and mobile. Column long, winged | 10. Caleana. |
| Sepals and petals narrow. Lip entire or 3-lobed, not jointed or irritable, disc with glandular processes, margin often fringed. Column long, winged above | 16. Caladenia. |
| ** Leaves shorter, two or several, oblong or lanceolate or linear. |
| Leaves numerous; radical broad, sometimes wanting; cauline narrow. Flowers hood-shaped, green. Lateral sepals united at the base. Lip narrow, irritable, with a basal appendage | 11. Pterostylis. |
| Leaves 2–3, lanceolate. Upper sepal broad, concave; lateral narrow. Lip broad, papillose or ridged. Column not winged | 15. Lyperanthus. |
| Leaves 2, radical, oblong. Upper sepal broad, concave; lateral narrow-lmear. Lip broad, with raised glands on the disc. Column winged, wings produced into 2 erect lobes at the top | 17. Chiloglottis. |
| *** Leaf solitary, broad. |
| Flower solitary, large, purple. Upper sepal broad, concave; lateral and petals long and filiform or minute. Lip large, broad, involute. Column very short | 20. Corysanthes. ​ |
| Flower solitary. Upper sepal narrow, concave; lateral and petals lanceolate. Lip 3-lobed; disc with raised glands. Column long, winged above; wing produced upwards into 2 toothed lobes | 18. Adenochilus. |
| Flowers 1 or 2. Upper sepal broad, concave; lateral lanceolate. Petals minute. Lip broad, undivided; disc smooth. Column long, equally winged, wings not produced upwards | 19. Townsonia. |
| Flowers several. Sepals and petals narrow, acuminate. Lip spreading, broad, concave. Column long | 12. Acianthus. |
| Flowers 2–3. Sepals and petals linear, obtuse. Lip spreading, narrow, flat. Column long, winged above | 13. Cyrtostylis. |
| **** Leafless. Stem tall, with brown sheathing scales. |
| Sepals and petals united into a 5-lobed ventricose tube | 21. Gastrodia. |
The above clavis is purely artificial, and is solely intended to facilitate the determination of the genera. The following arrangement, which is adapted from Hooker and Bentham's "Genera Plantarum" and Engler's "Pflanzenfamilien," is more natural and shows the sequence adopted in this work:—
Tribe I. Epidendreæ.—Anther lid-like, usually deciduous; cells parallel, distinct. Pollinia waxy, 1–4 in each cell, free, or those of each cell connected by a viscid appendage, not attached by their bases or by a caudicle to the rostellum.
1. Dendrobium. 2. Bulbophyllum. 3. Earina.
Tribe II. Vandeæ.—Anther lid-like, usually deciduous, resting on the rostellum; cells usually confluent. Pollinia waxy, usually 2 or 4 in superposed pairs, attached singly or in pairs to a gland or process of the rostellum, which comes away with them when they are removed.
4. Sarcochilus.
Tribe III. Neottieæ.—Anther lid-like or erect and persistent; cells distinct, parallel. Pollinia granular or powdery.
Subtribe 1. Spirantheæ.
5. Spiranthes.
Subtribe 2. Thelymitreæ.
6. Thelymitra.
Subtribe 3. Diurideæ.
7. Orthoceras. 8. Microtis. 9. Prasophyllum.
Subtribe 4. Pterostylideæ.
10. Caleana. 11. Pterostylis.
Subtribe 5. Caladeniæ.
12. Acianthus. 13. Cyrtostylis. 14. Calochilus. 15. Lyperanthus. 16. Caladenia. 17. Chiloglottis. 18. Adenochilus. 19. Townsonia.
Subtribe 6. Pogonieæ.
20. Corysanthes.
Subtribe 7. Gastrodieæ.
21. Gastrodia.
1. DENDROBIUM, Swartz.
Epiphytes. Stems long and branching, or short and simple and thick, sometimes reduced to pseudobulbs. Leaves coriaceous or fleshy, never plaited. Flowers often large and handsome, rarely small. Sepals nearly equal, the lateral ones dilated at the base, and obliquely adnate to the foot of the column, forming a short spur or pouch. Petals about as long as the upper sepal. Lip contracted at the base and adnate to the produced foot of the column, rarely clawed, usually 3-lobed; lateral lobes embracing the column or spreading; middle lobe broad or narrow, spreading or recurved; disc often lamellate. Column short, produced at the base, winged or angled or toothed at the top. Anther terminal, lid-like, 2-celled; pollinia 4, free, compressed, in collateral pairs in each cell.
A large genus of about 300 species, most abundant in the Malay Archipelago, but extending as far north as Japan, and southwards through Australia and Polynesia to New Zealand. The single species found in New Zealand is endemic, but is closely allied to the Polynesian D. biflorum, Swartz.
1. D. Cunninghamii, Lindl. Bot. Reg. sub. t. 1756.—Stems usually much branched, slender, rigid, wiry, terete, polished, 1–4 ft. long; usually pendulous, but small specimens growing on rocks or in exposed places are often erect. Leaves numerous, distichous, alternate, ¾–2 in. long, ⅙–⅕ in. broad, linear-lanceolate, acute, rigid and coriaceous, striate and more or less conspicuously 3-nerved; sheaths truncate, grooved and transversely corrugated. Peduncles shorter or longer than the leaves, usually 1–3-flowered, rarely 3–6-flowered; pedicels slender; bracts short. Flowers ¾ in. diam., white and pink. Upper sepal oblong-lanceolate, acute; lateral rather larger, broader at the base. Petals about equalling the sepals, oblong, obtuse. Lip attached by a short claw to the foot of the column, 3-lobed; lateral lobes small, ascending; middle lobe spreading, large, almost as broad as long; margins undulate; disc with 4 or 5 thin lamellæ. Capsule oblong, ⅓ in. long.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 316; Raoul, Choix, 41; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 240; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 262. D. biflorum, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 167, t. 26 (not of Swartz). D. Lessonii, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xv. (1883) 326.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Lowland districts from the North Cape southwards. Sea-level to 2000 ft. December–February.
For some notes on the fertilisation, see a paper by Mr. G. M. Thomson in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xi. 419. I cannot separate Mr. Colenso's D. Lessonii from the ordinary state of the plant, even as a variety.
2. BULBOPHYLLUM, Thouars.
Epiphytes. Rhizome creeping, often matted, usually more or less clothed with scarious sheathing scales. Pseudobulbs sessile in the axils of the scales, each crowned with 1 or rarely 2 leaves. ​Flowers small or large, solitary, spiked or racemed on a peduncle arising from the base of the pseudobulbs. Sepals nearly equal, the lateral ones adnate to the foot of the column. Petals usually smaller than the sepals. Lip contracted at the base and jointed on to the produced foot of the column, usually small and recurved, generally mobile. Column short, erect, produced at the base, often 2-aristate at the top. Anther terminal, lid-like, 2-celled; pollinia 4 (rarely 2), free, in pairs in each cell.
A genus of nearly 100 species, with its chief centre of distribution in tropical Asia, but also found in tropical Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and sparingly in South America.
| Leaves ½–1 in. Peduncles 2–4-flowered. Lip orange-red | 1. B. tuberculatum. |
| Leaves ¼–⅓ in. Flowers solitary. Lip white | 2. B. pygmæum. |
1. B. tuberculatum, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 336, and xxii. (1890) 488.—Forming densely matted patches on the trunks or branches of trees. Pseudobulbs ¼–⅓ in. long, broadly oblong or nearly orbicular, almost smooth and unwrinkled when fresh, deeply rugose when dry, more or less clothed with white bullate scales. Leaves solitary on the pseudobulbs, ½–1 in. long, linear-oblong, acute at both ends, thick and fleshy, slightly concave above, midrib prominent beneath, striate, under-surface with minute whitish dots. Peduncles very slender, almost filiform, ½–¾ in. long, 2–4-flowered; pedicels short; bracts minute. Flowers ⅙ in. long, white with a bright reddish-orange lip. Upper sepal oblong-lanceolate, subacute; lateral larger, triangular, broad at the base. Petals triangular, much smaller than the sepals. Lip almost as long as the sepals, hinged on to the produced base of the column; lamina oblong-ovate or subhastate, truncate at the base, concave, very thick and fleshy, lower part of disc with 2 minute raised ridges. Column very short, stout, 2-winged at the top. Capsule broadly oblong, ⅙1/6 in. long.—B. exiguum, Buch. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 397 (not of F. Muell.).
North Island: Auckland—Kaitaia, R. H. Matthews! Lower Waikato, Carse! East Cape district, Kirk. Hawke's Bay—Petane, A. Hamilton! Wellington—Palmerston North, A. Hamilton! South Island: Nelson—Collingwood, Dall! April–May.
A charming little plant. It was referred by Mr. Buchanan to the Australian B. exiguum, and no doubt is closely allied to it, principally differing in the smaller size and more compact habit, shorter peduncles, shorter and broader sepals and petals, and broader and thicker bright orange-red lip.
2. B. pygmæum, Lindl. Gen. et Sp. Orch. 58.—Minute, forming densely matted carpets on the trunks of trees or on rocks. Pseudobulbs ⅛–⅙ in. diam., globose or globose-depressed, glabrous, much wrinkled when dry. Leaves solitary on the pseudobulbs, springing from a minute circular sheath, ¼–⅓ in. long, linear-oblong, obtuse, very thick and coriaceous, grooved down the middle and ​minutely echinulate above, naked and longitudinally nerved beneath. Peduncles solitary from the base of the pseudobulbs, very short, ⅓–⅙in. long, 1-flowered; bract minute. Flowers very minute, whitish. Upper sepal narrow-ovate, acute; lateral rather larger, broadly triangular. Petals shorter than the sepals, oblong, subacute. Lip clawed on to the projecting foot of the column; claw long; lamina ovate, obtuse, thickened, disc with indistinct ridges. Ovary broadly oblong, gibbous, minutely echinulate.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 317; Raoul, Choix, 41; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 240; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 263. B. ichthyostomum, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvi. (1894) 319. Dendrobium pygmæum, Smith in Rees Cyclop. xi. n. 27.
North and South Islands: From the North Cape to Otago; in the South Island chiefly on the western side. Sea-level to 1500 ft. November–February.
I do not see upon what grounds Mr. Colenso has separated his B. ichthyostomum. The type specimens in his herbarium appear to me to be typical B. pygmæum.
3. EARINA, Lindl.
Epiphytes. Stems tufted, simple, compressed; pseudobulbs wanting. Leaves distichous, alternate, narrow-linear. Flowers rather small, in terminal simple or branched bracteate racemiform panicles. Sepals about equal, spreading, free. Petals similar to the sepals. Lip affixed to the base of the column or its slightly produced foot, 3-lobed; lateral lobes small or large; middle lobe broad, entire or emarginate or 2-lobed. Column short, stout, sometimes produced at the base. Anther terminal, lid-like, 2-celled; pollinia 4, waxy, aggregated in pairs in each cell, free or cohering at the base by a short viscid appendage. Capsule oblong.
Besides the two species found in New Zealand, which are endemic, there are four others from the Pacific islands.
| Slender. Panicles slender; flowers remote. Lip deeply 3-lobed; disc eglandular | 1. E. mucronata. |
| Stout. Panicles stiff; flowers close. Lip very obscurely 3-lobed; disc with 2 ridges | 2. E. suaveolens. |
1. E. mucronata, Lindl. in Bot. Reg. sub. t. 1699.—Rhizome creeping. Stems numerous, 1–3 ft. long, slender, simple, pendulous or rarely erect, smooth, compressed and 2-edged, spotted. Leaves 3–6 in. long, ⅙–⅕ in. broad, narrow-linear, acuminate, flat, smooth, thin but coriaceous, very finely striate. Panicle terminal, slender, sparingly branched, 2–5 in. long, many-flowered; bracts clasping, striate. Flowers rather distant, sessile, ¼ in. diam. Sepals and petals Imear-oblong, spreading, obtuse, pale-yellow. Lip darker yellow with a brownish-orange spot at the base, deeply 3-lobed; middle lobe broader than long, again divaricately 2-lobed; disc eglandular. Column short, stout. Pollinia attached at the base to a short caudicle. Capsule oblong, ¼ in. long.—A. Cunn. Precur. ​n. 315; Raoul, Choix, 41; Hook. Ic. Plant. t. 431; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 239; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 262. E. quadrilobata, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xv. (1883) 325.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Chatham Islands: Not uncommon in lowland districts throughout. Sea-level to 2000 ft. October–December.
2. E. suaveolens, Lindl. Bot. Reg. (1843) Misc. 61.—Stems stout, erect or pendulous, slightly compressed, 6–18 in. high. Leaves 2–4 in. long, ⅓–½ in. broad, narrow-linear or narrow linearlanceolate, acute, rigid, coriaceous, striate, midrib evident. Panicle terminal, stiff, 2–4 in. long, many-flowered; branches numerous, close-set; bracts sheathing, striate. Flowers sessile, much closer together than in E. mucronata, ¼–⅓ in. diam., waxy-white with a yellow centre, very fragrant. Sepals ovate-oblong, obtuse. Petals rather broader, obovate, narrowed at the base. Lip erect at the base and then bent outwards, broad, concave, very obscurely 3-lobed, disc with 2 crescent-shaped glands towards the base, margins undulate. Column short, stout. Pollinia pyriform, attached to a short caudicle at the base.—E. autumnalis, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 239; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 262. E. alba, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii. (1886) 267. Epidendrum autumnale, Forst. Prodr. n. 319. Cymbidium autumnale, Swartz in Nov. Act. Upsal. vi. (1799) 72; A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. 169.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Not uncommon in lowland forests from the North Cape southwards. Sea-level to 2000 ft. March–June.
A handsome species, easily distinguished from E. mucronata by the shorter and stouter habit, more rigid leaves, denser panicles, waxy-white flowers, and almost entire lip, which has two raised ridges near the base. Mr. Colenso apparently published his E. alba under the supposition that E. suaveolens has no glands on the lip, but they are always present. Some notes on the fertilisation are given by Mr. G. M. Thomson in the Trans. N.Z. Inst. xi. 418.
4. SARCOCHILUS, R. Br.
Epiphytes. Stems short, rarely long; pseudobulbs wanting. Leaves distichous, flat, oblong or linear, coriaceous or fleshy. Flowers racemose or spicate; peduncles lateral. Sepals spreading, almost equal, free; the lateral ones often broader at the base and adnate to the produced foot of the column. Petals similar to the sepals or narrower. Lip attached to the base of the column, usually 3-lobed; lateral lobes small or large, fleshy or petaloid; middle lobe often greatly reduced; disc usually with callosities. Column erect, semiterete, not winged, produced at the base. Anther terminal, lid-like, 2-celled; pollinia 2, or 4 more or less connate in pairs, waxy, attached by a strap-shaped caudicle to the rostellum. Capsule linear or linear-oblong.
A genus of about 30 species, most of them from India, the Malay Archipelago, and Australia; a few from the Pacific islands, and one from New Zealand.
1. S. adversus, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 241.—Roots numerous, long, wiry, terete. Stems short, 1–3 in. long, concealed by the imbricated sheathing bases of the leaves. Leaves few, distichous, spreading, 1–2½ in. long, ⅓–¾ in. broad, linear-oblong to elliptic-oblong, obtuse or subacute, jointed above the sheathing base, thick and coriaceous, dark-green, often spotted with purple. Peduncles 1–4 from the axils of the lower leaves, slender, strict, 1–2½ in. long, 5–15-flowered; pedicels slender, erect; bracts small, broadly ovate. Flowers small, ⅛–⅙ in. diam, green spotted with purple. Sepals oblong-ovate, obtuse. Petals similar but slightly narrower. Lip as broad as long, obscurely 3-lobed, very concave, with a fleshy gland on each side; tip obtuse, somewhat hooded. Column very short, stout. Capsule linear-oblong, ½–⅔ in. long.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 263. S. breviscapa, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiv. (1882) 332.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Chatham Islands: Lowland districts from the North Cape southwards, not common. October–November.
5. SPIRANTHES, L. C. Rich.
Terrestrial herbs, with fibrous or tuberous roots. Stems leafy or sometimes leafless at the time of flowering. Flowers small, spirally arranged in a terminal spike. Sepals subequal; the dorsal one erect, more or less connivent with the petals into a hood; lateral free, erect or spreading. Lip sessile or clawed, concave, closely embracing the column at its broad base, often spreading and dilated at the tip; disc usually with tubercles or lamellæ near the base. Column short, terete. Anther erect, ovate or oblong, 2-celled; pollinia after dehiscence pendulous from the gland of the rostellum.
A genus of about 80 species, generally dispersed through most temperate or tropical regions.
1. S. australis, Lindl. in Bot. Reg. t. 823.—Root of several stout and fleshy almost tuberous fibres. Stem variable in size, 6–20 in. high, stout or slender, glabrous or nearly so below the inflorescence. Lower leaves varying from 2 to 6, 2–6 in. long, narrow-linear or linear-lanceolate, acuminate, sheathing at the base; upper ones reduced to sheathing scales. Spike slender, 2–6 in. long or more, spirally twisted, glandular-pubescent. Flowers numerous, small, sessile, close-set or rather distant, 1/10–1/8 in. long, rose-pink or white; bracts ovate, acuminate, usually as long as the flowers. Upper sepal oblong, obtuse, connivent with the petals into a hood; lateral free, acute. Lip broadly oblong, concave; the lower part embracing the column and bearing a small rounded gland on each side at the ​base; upper part spreading and thickened; margins usually much crisped. Ovary glandular.—Hook. f. Fl. Tasm. ii. 15; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 272; Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 314. S. novæ-zealandiæ, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 243.
North Island: Auckland—Near Ohora, T.F.C.; Kaitaia, R. H. Matthews! Great Barrier Island, Kirk; near Auckland, T.F.C; Upper Waikato, Colenso; Rotorua, T.F.C. Taranaki—Swamps near New Plymouth; Ngaire Swamp, T.F.C. South Island: Okarito, A. Hamilton. Sea-level to 1500 ft. January–February.
Also found in Australia, and in many parts of tropical and temperate Asia.
6. THELYMITRA, Forst.
Terrestrial herbs, usually glabrous. Root of oblong or ovoid tubers. Leaf solitary, linear or lanceolate, often thick and fleshy but not terete; empty sheathing bracts 1 or 2 along the stem. Flowers few or many in a terminal raceme, sometimes reduced to one. Sepals and petals similar and equal or nearly so, spreading. Lip similar to the petals, quite free from the column at the base. Column short, erect, broadly 2-winged; the wings either produced behind the anther with a variously lobed or fringed or rarely entire margin, or with 2 prominent lateral lobes as long or longer than the anther; at the base the wings extend between the column and the lip and are united. Anther in front of the produced wing of the column or between its lateral lobes, erect, 2-celled; connective often produced; pollinia 2 in each cell, friable.
A genus of probably over 30 species, mostly natives of Australia and New Zealand, one species only being found in New Caledonia, and two in the Malay Archipelago. It is remarkable from the lip being quite free from the column and resembling the petals and sepals, so that the perianth has little of the irregular appearance of an orchid, but rather resembles that of an Ixia or Sisyrinchium. The New Zealand species are much alike in habit and general appearance, and in most cases cannot be distinguished from one another when out of flower, or when dried. Even when in the flowering state they require careful study before their differential characters can be understood. The following analysis is in several respects imperfect, but is the best that I can offer in the present state of our knowledge. I have in my herbarium specimens of at least three additional forms, but they cannot be safely described until more complete material is available.
A. Cucullaria. Column-wing extending behind the anther and usually over-topping it, hood-shaped, variously lobed or fringed, the lateral lobes tipped with a dense brush of cilia. :
| Column-wing with 3 short denticulate or fimbriate lobes at the back between the lateral lobes | 1. T. ixioides. |
| Column-wing with a broad entire or emarginate lobe between the lateral lobes, which are shorter than it | 2. T. longifolia. |
| Column-wing with a truncate or bifid scarcely hood-shaped lobe between the lateral lobes, which are longer than it | 3. T. intermedia. |
| Column-wing with a hood-shaped lobe between the lateral lobes, which are much longer than it. Sepals and petals linear-oblong | 4. T. Colensoi. ​ |
| B. Macdonaldia. Column-wing extending behind the anther but shorter than it and not hood-shaped, variously lobed or crenate or fimbriate. ||
| Tall, slender, 9–18 in. high. Flowers 3–8, large, ¾–1 in. diam., blue-purple | 5. T. pulchella. |
| Flexuous and wiry, 4–10 in. high. Flowers 1–3, ½ in. diam., flesh-coloured | 6. T. imberbis. |
| C. Biaurella. Column-wing not extending behind the anther, but with 2 prominent erect lateral lobes. ||
| Flowers 3–6. Lateral lobes of the column-wing exceeding the short broad anther | 7. T. venosa. |
| Flowers 1–4. Lateral lobes of the column-wing not so long as the rather narrow anther | 8. T. uniflora. |
T. concinna and T. nervosa, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xx. (1888) 207, and T. fimbriata, l.c. xxii. (1890) 490, are unknown to me.
1. T. ixioides, Swz. in Vet. Akad. Handl. Stockh. xxi (1800) 228, t. 3.—Stem slender, 9–18 in. high. Leaf rather long but shorter than the stem, narrow-linear, thick, channelled in front. Flowers 2–8 or more in a raceme 2–6 in. long, rather large, ¾–1 in. diam. Sepals, petals, and lip broadly oblong or elliptic-oblong, obtuse or subacute. Column short, stout, not half as long as the perianth; the broad wing continued behind the anther and overtopping it, 3-lobed at the back and with a lateral lobe on each side at the front angle; lateral lobes the highest, pointing forwards and upwards, linear, tipped with a small dense tuft of cilia; the 3 intermediate lobes broader and shorter, truncate, denticulate or crenate, the middle one usually crested on the back. Anther rather narrow, pointed, much longer than the rostellum.—Hook. f. Fl. Tasm. ii. 6, t. 103b; Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 317; Fitzgerald, Austral. Orchid. ii. pt. 3; Berggr. in Minneskr. Fisiog. Sailsk. Lund. (1877) 22.
North Island: Auckland—Kaitaia, R. H. Matthews! Whangaroa, Petrie! Bay of Islands, Berggren; Te Aroha and Rotorua, Petrie! (specimens not in a fit state for accurate determination, but apparently the same). September–November. Also in Australia.
2. T. longifolia, Forst. Char. Gen. 98, t. 49.—Very variable in size and degree of robustness, stout or slender, 3–18 in. high. Leaf short or long, often overtopping the flowers in short-stemmed specimens, narrow-linear or linear-lanceolate, varying in breadth from ⅛ to ¾ in. or even more, flat or involute, thick and coriaceous or fleshy, grooved and nerved. Flowers 2–16 in a raceme 1–6 in. long or sometimes solitary, variable in size, ⅓–¾ in. diam., colour varying from white to pink or blue. Sepals and petals oblong-ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate; lip usually broader and more obtuse. Column short, stout; the wing continued behind the anther and much longer than it, 3-lobed; the middle lobe the highest, broad, rounded, hood-shaped and projecting forwards over the anther, emarginate or shallowly 2-lobed, margins smooth, ​entire; lateral lobes short, linear, terminated by a dense brush of white cilia. Anther much exceeding the rostellum.—Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 270; Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 319; Fitzgerald, Austral. Orch. i. pt. 6. T. Forsteri, Swz. in Vet. Akad. Handl. Stockh. xxi. (1800) 228; A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 165. t. 25, f. 2; A. Cunn. Precur. n. 309; Raoul, Choix, 41; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 243. T. stenopetala, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 69. T. nemoralis and T. purpureo-fusca, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvii. (1885) 249. T. alba, Col. l.c. xviii. (1886) 272. T. cornuta, Col. l.c. xx. (1888) 206.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Chatham Islands, Auckland Islands: Abundant from the Three Kings Islands and the North Cape southwards. Sea-level to 4000 ft. Makaika. November–December. Also in Australia and Tasmania.
Found in all soils and situations (except in the dense forest) and correspondingly variable. Its best distinguishing character is the large middle lobe of the column-wing, which forms a smooth rounded hood projecting over the anther and usually overtopping the lateral lobes, which are most densely ciliate at the tips. For an account of the fertilisation, see a paper by myself in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiii. 291.
3. T. intermedia, Berggr. in Minneskr. Fisiog. Sallsk. Lund. (1877) 21, t. 5, f. 21–24.—Size and habit altogether that of slender forms of T. longifolia, and flowers similar in general appearance. Column-wing continued behind the anther and 3-lobed as in T. longifolia; but the intermediate lobe is much shorter, so that the tip of the anther is exserted beyond it, and the anterior angle on each side is incurved and acute; the lateral lobes longer, erect, exceeding the intermediate lobe, terminated by a much smaller and less dense tuft of cilia.
North Island: Bay of Islands, Berggren.
I only know this through Dr. Berggren's figure and description. It may be the same as the following, but that is a question that can only be settled by actual comparison of the types.
4. T. Colensoi, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 271.—"Very slender, 8–12 in. high. Leaf very narrow-linear, flexuous. Flowers 1–3, yellowish, on slender pedicels, ⅓ in. broad. Sepals and petals very narrow, linear-oblong, acute. Column very short; appendages very long, subulate, erect, plumose at the tip. Anther with a long point."—T. pauciflora, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 244 (not of B. Br.).
North Island: Colenso (Handbook).
I have seen no specimens that I can refer to this, and in the absence of any additional information have reproduced tbe description given in the Handbook.
5. T. pulchella, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 244.—Stem tall,, slender, often flexuous, 9–18 in. high or even more. Leaf shorter than the stem, long, linear, fleshy, grooved and channelled; empty ​bracts 2 or 3, sheathing. Flowers 3–8 in a raceme from 2 in. to 6 in. long, large, handsome, blue-purple, ¾–1 in. diam. Sepals, petals, and lip broadly oblong or obovate, obtuse. Column less than half as long as the perianth, the wing continued behind the anther but much shorter than it, 3-lobed; middle lobe short and broad, emarginate or truncate; lateral lobes much longer than the middle lobe and almost equalling the anther, erect, lanceolate, acuminate, coarsely toothed. Anther broad, connective produced into a stout horn-like point.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 271.
North Island: Clay hills from the North Cape to the Waikato River, not uncommon. November–December.
A well-marked species, easily distinguished by the large blue-purple flowers, broad obtuse sepals and petals, long erect coarsely jagged (not ciliate) lateral lobes of the column-wing, and broad and short middle lobe, which is much lower than the anther. I have seen no South Island specimens, and suspect that Monro's and Lyall's plants, mentioned by Hooker in the Handbook, are nothing more than large states of T. unifiora.
6. T. imberbis, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 244.—Stem slender, wiry, often flexuous, 4–12 in. high. Leaf much shorter than the stem, narrow-linear, flexuous, thick and fleshy, grooved in front. Flowers 1–3, rarely more, short and broad, cup-shaped, ½ in. diam., flesh-coloured. Sepals and petals ⅓ in. long, broadly oblong or obovate-oblong, obtuse or apiculate. Column less than half as long as the perianth; the wing continued behind the anther but shorter than it, 3-lobed; middle lobe broad, truncate or obscurely 2-lobed, minutely warted on the back, margin thick, entire; lateral lobes longer, pointing forwards and upwards, triangular, acute, irregularly denticulate, without cilia. Anther large, connective produced into a blunt point much exceeding the column-wing.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 271.
North Island: Clay hills from the North Cape to Rotorua, not uncommon. Sea-level to 1500 ft. October–November.
In the original description the flowers are said to be yellow, but they are flesh-coloured in all the specimens I have seen. It is probably identical with the Australian T. carnea, R. Br.
7. T. venosa, R. Br. Prodr. 314.—Stem stout or slender, 9–18 in. high or more. Leaf shorter than the stem, narrow-linear, thick, channelled. Flowers 3–6, large, handsome, purplish-blue, 1 in. diam. Sepals and petals ½ in. long, oblong or elliptic-oblong, obtuse or minutely apiculate, conspicuously veined; lip obovate, obtuse. Column short, stout, not half the length of the perianth; wing not continued behind the anther but with 2 erect lateral lobes which exceed the anther, lobes narrow-triangular, 1–2-toothed near the tip, which is usually twisted inwards. Anther rather short, ovate, connective narrowed into a short bifid beak not so long as the lateral lobes.—Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 323. Epiblema grandiflorum, Buch. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiv. (1882) 357 (not of B. Br.).
North Island: Auckland—Swamps in the Upper Waikato, T.F.C.; Omatangi, near Lake Taupo, Berggren! Taranaki—Ngaire Swamp, T.F.C. Wellington—Mungaroa Swamp, Travers, Kirk!
Very near to T. uniflora in the structure of the flower, but a taller and stouter plant, with numerous larger flowers, and with the lateral lobes of the column exceeding the anther. The late Mr. Buchanan informed me that it was the plant he referred to Epiblema in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xiv. It probably occurs in the South Island, but I have seen no specimens from thence. It is found in. several localities in New South Wales.
8. T. uniflora, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 70.—Stem slender, 6–12 in. high or more. Leaf much shorter than the stem, very narrow-linear, channelled. Flowers 1–4, large, handsome, blue-purple, ¾ in. diam. Sepals and petals obovate-oblong, obtuse or apiculate, veined; lip broader, obovate. Column short and stout, less than half the length of the perianth; wing reduced to 2 linear-triangular lateral lobes not connected by a rim or crest behind the anther, tip obscurely notched, usually twisted inwards. Anther large, broadly ovate, the connective produced into a bifid beak which overtops the column-lobes.—Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 244; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 271.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Auckland Islands: From Rotorua southwards, chiefly in upland districts. Sea-level to 3500 ft. December–January.
The name uniflora is misleading, as the flowers are often more than one. It is very closely allied to the Tasmanian T. cyanea, Lindl., and may prove identical with it.
7. ORTHOCERAS, R. Br.
Glabrous terrestrial herbs. Root of 1 or 2 ovoid tubers and numerous fleshy fibres. Leaves few, near the base of the stem,, narrow-linear. Flowers rather large, sessile in a lax spike; bracts sheathing, acute. Upper sepal erect, incurved, deeply concave; lateral longer, narrow-linear or almost filiform, terete, erect. Petals short, erect, narrow, flat. Lip affixed to the base of the column, spreading, 3-lobed; lateral lobes broad; middle lobe large, ovate; disc with a thick callus. Column short, stout, upper part with 2 lateral erect lobes equalling the anther. Anther large, erect or slightly incurved, 2-celled; polHnia powdery.
One species only is known, found in both Australia and New Zealand.
1. O. strictum, R. Br. Prodr. 317.—Stem stout or slender, rigid, erecc, wiry, 9–24 in. high. Leaves several near the base of the stem, sheathing. 2–9 in. long, linear or almost filiform, channelled, margins involute; above the leaves there are usually 2 or 3 long sheaths with short erect laminae. Spike 1–9 in. long, 3–12-flowered; flowers rather lax, green, greenish-purple or brownishpurple; bracts acuminate, the lower ones usually exceeding the ​ovary. Upper sepal ⅓–½ in. long, when spread out almost orbicular, much incurved, deeply concave; lateral filiform, erect or diverging, ½–1 in. long. Petals thin, notched at the tip. Lip spreading or deflexed; lateral lobes broad, oblique; middle lobe much larger, ovate; disc with a large variously shaped callus.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 310; Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 332; Fitzgerald, Austral. Orch. i. pt. 3. O. Solandri, Lindl. Gen. et Sp. Orch. 512; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 243; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 273. O. rubrum, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii. (1886) 273. O. caput-serpentis, Col. l.c. xxii. (1890) 490. Diuris novæ-zealandiæ, A. Rich. Fl. Nouv. Zel. 163, t. 25, f. 1.
North Island: Dry hills from the North Cape southwards, not uncommon. South Island: Various localities in the Nelson Provincial District, Bidwill, Kirk! T.F.C. Sea-level to 2500 ft. December–January.
8. MICROTIS, R. Br.
Glabrous terrestrial herbs; root of rounded tubers on fleshy fibres. Leaf solitary, long, narrow, terete, opened out near the stem and then continuous with the closed sheath. Flowers small, green, numerous, densely spicate, usually spreading or reflexed. Upper sepal erect, broad, concave, incurved; lateral lanceolate or oblong, spreading or recurved. Petals similar to the lateral sepals or smaller. Lip sessile at the base of the column, spreading, oblong, obtuse, truncate or 2-lobed, usually with calli near the base. Column very short, almost terete, upper part with 2 auricles or wings. Anther terminal, erect, 2-ceiled; pollinia 4, powdery.
The genus consists of 6 species inhabiting Australia, one of ihem extending to New Zealand. A seventh species has also been described from the Malny Archipelago. The genus has the habit and general appearance of Prasophyllum, but differs in the flowers not being reversed, and in the auricles of the column.
1. M. porrifolia, R. Br. Prodr. 320.—Very variable in size, degree of robustness, and number of flowers. Stems stout or slender, 3–24 in. high. Leaf terete, fistular, exceeding the spike or shorter than it. Spike ½–6 in. long; flowers few or many, close-set or rather distant, minute, green, pedicels short; bracts small. Upper sepal broadly ovate, acute, deeply concave; lateral oblong, deflexed. Petals shorter, spreading. Lip horizontal or deflexed, oblong, obtuse or 2-lobed; margins much crisped; disc with 2 calli at the base and usually with an irregularly shaped tubercle or swelling near the tip. Column very short, stout; upper part with 2 small auricles. Pollinia attached to a very short caudicle.—Hook f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 245; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 266; Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 347; Fitzgerald, Austral. Orch. ii. pt. i. M. Banksii, A. Cunn. Bot. Mag. sub. t. 3377; Precur. n. 311; Raoul, Choix, 41. M. longifolia, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvii. (1885) 247. M. papillosa, Col. l.c. xviii. (1886) 269. Epipactis porrifolia, Swz. in Vet. Acad. Stockh. (1800) 233. Ophrys unifolia, Forst. Prodr. n. 311.
Kermadec Islands, North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Chatham Islands: Abundant throughout. Sea-level to 2500 ft. October–December.
There appear to be differences in the shape and size of the calli on the lip, the shape of its extremity, and the extent to which the margin is crisped. The fertilisation has been described by Thomson in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xi. 422.
9. PRASOPHYLLUM, R. Br.
Terrestrial glabrous herbs. Root of globose or ovoid tubers. Leaf solitary; sheath usually long; lamina terete, long or short, sometimes reduced to a short erect point. Flowers small, sessile in a lax or dense spike, reversed so that the lip is uppermost, usually abruptly bent at the top of the ovary and consequently spreading or reflexed. Upper sepal (inferior by the reversion of the flower) lanceolate or oblong, concave, usually arched over the column; lateral (superior) as long or rather longer, lanceolate or linear, free or more or less connate. Petals equalling the sepals or shorter, lanceolate or linear. Lip superior, sessile or shortly clawed, or sessile on the produced foot of the column, usually erect at the base and concave, spreading or recurved above, ovate or lanceolate, undivided; margins entire or undulate; disc with an adnate plate or longitudinally thickened along the median line. Column very short, not winged, but furnished with 2 erect lateral lobes; rostellum usually long, erect. Anther erect, placed behind the rostellum which often exceeds it, 2-celled; pollinia attached by a linear caudicle to the rostellum.
Species about 30, all confined to Australia, with the exception of one from New Caledonia and four from New Zealand, two of which seem to be the same as Australian species. The genus is closely allied to Microtis, but is at once distinguished by the reversed flowers and large lateral lobes to the column.
A. Euprasophyllum. Lip sessile at the base of the column. Perianth ⅓–⅕ in. long. :
| Tall, 1–3 ft. high. Flowers ¼–⅓ in. Lip large, with a conspicuous recurved lamina; adnate plate not nearly reaching the tip | 1. P. patens. |
| Smaller, 4–12 in. Flowers ⅕ in. Lip shorter, with a smaller recurved lip; adnate plate extending almost to the tip | 2. P. Colensoi. |
| B. Genoplesium. Leaf reduced to a sheathing bract just under the spike. Lip articulated on to a flat ribband-like projection from the base of the column, usually mobile. Flowers very small, 1/10–1/12 in. long. ||
| Perianth pointing downwards, green. Lateral sepals ovate-lanceolate, not tipped with a gland. Lip oblong | 3. P. pumilum. |
| Perianth horizontal, reddish. Lateral sepals narrow-lanceolate, acuminate, tipped by a minute gland. Lip lanceolate | 4. P. rufum. |
​1. P. patens, R. Br. Prodr. 318.—Stem stout or slender, 1–3 ft. high. Leaf sheathing the stem half-way up or rather more, the lamina shorter or longer than the spike. Spike rather lax, 2–5 in. long, many-flowered; bracts small, broad, obtuse. Flowers ¼–⅓ in. long, pale yellowish-green or whitish, sweet-scented. Ovary obovoid. Upper sepal ovate, acute, concave; lateral rather longer, lanceolate, quite free. Petals linear-oblong, obtuse. Lip sessile, as long as the sepals, erect at the base and then suddenly reflexed between the lateral sepals; adnate plate narrower than the disc and not extending much further up than the flexure of the lip; margins broad, thin, undulate. Column short; lateral lobes linear-oblong, obtuse, almost as long as the narrow erect rostellum, entire. Anther large, pointed, not quite equalling the rostellum.—Hook. f. Fl. Tasm. ii. 11, t. 111; Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 339.
North Island: Auckland—Swamps at Maungatapere, Whangarei, Carse! Great Barrier Island, Kirk! Taranaki—Ngaire Swamp, abundant, T.F.C. December–January.
Easily distinguished from P. Colensoi by the much greater size, larger paler flowers, and longer lip, which has a much more conspicuous recurved lamina, the adnate plate not extending to the tip. The lateral lobes of the column are also much longer. It agrees well with Australian specimens of P. patens, except that the spike is usually denser.
2. P. Colensoi, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 241.—Stem stout or slender, erect, 4–14 in. high. Leaf sheathing the stem for three-quarters its length or even more; lamina shorter than the spike or equalling it. Spike 1–3 in. long, many-flowered; bracts as short as the pedicel, broad, obtuse. Flowers about ⅕ in. long, dull-green or greenish-brown, slightly fragrant; ovary obovoid, gibbous. Upper sepal ovate-oblong, acute, concave; lateral rather longer, connate at the very base, lanceolate, acute, curved backwards. Petals linearoblong, obtuse. Lip shorter than the sepals, sessile, ovate, tip acuminate, shortly recurved, adnate plate extending almost to the tip, margins undulate. Column very short, lateral lobes broadly notched, shorter than the rostellum. Anther broad, obtuse, not equalling the rostellum,—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 272. (?) P. pauciflorum, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii. (1886) 273.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Antipodes Island: From the North Cape southwards, but rare and local to the north of Lake Taupo. Sea-level to 4500 ft. November–January.
A most abundant subalpine plant all through the mountains of the South Island. For some remarks on the fertilisation, see a paper by Mr. Thomson in the Trans. N.Z. Inst. xi. 425.
3. P. pumilum, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 242.—Very slender, 6–16 in. high. Stem with a lacerated fibrous sheath at the base. Leaf reduced to a sheathing bract near the spike; lamina ½–1 in. long, erect, usually reaching about half-way up the spike. Spike ​dense, few- or many-flowered, ½–1½ in. long. Flowers minute, the perianth about 1/10 in. long, curved, pointing downwards, greenish. Upper sepal ovate, acuminate, concave; lateral rather longer, free, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate. Petals the same shape as the lateral sepals, but shorter, and with the tips almost aristate. Lip articulate on a flat ribband-like projection from the foot of the column, mobile, oblong, acute, truncate at the base, not ciliate, disc almost wholly occupied by a thick adnate plate, which is obscurely 3-grooved towards the base. Column short, the lateral lobes broad, obliquely truncate and irregularly 2–3-notched at the tip. Anther large, apiculate, overtopping the small rostellum.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 273.
North Island: Auckland—Dry hills from tho North Cane to the Middle Waikato, not common. April–June.
4. P. rufum, R. Br. Prodr. 319.—Very similar in size and habit to P. pumilum, and like it with the leaf reduced to a sheathing bract just below the spike, the lamina very short and subulate. Spike few- or many-flowered, ½–¾ in. long. Flowers still more minute than in P. pumilum, the perianth about 1/12 in. long, horizontal, reddish or yellowish. Upper sepal ovate, acuminate, concave; the lateral much longer, quite free, lanceolate, acuminate, the points tipped with a small gland. Petals small, lanceolate, shorter than the upper sepal. Labellum articulate on a flat ribband-like projection from the foot of the column, mobile, lanceolate, acute, truncate at the base, adnate plate occupying most of the disc, thickest along the margins. Column very short, the lobes rather narrow, 2-toothed at the tip. Anther large, apiculate, overtopping the small rostellum.—Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 344; Fitzgerald, Austral. Orch. ii. pt. 4. P. nudum, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i 242; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 272. P. tunicatum, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 242. (?) P. variegatum, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xx. (1888) 208.
North Island: "Te Hiwara, Port Nicholson, and Lake Taupo, Colenso" (Handbook). South Island: Marlborough—Port Underwood and Keneperu, Macmahon!
The above description is drawn up from Mr. Macmahon's specimens, which correspond fairly well with the plate of P. rufum given by Mr. Fitzgerald in his "Australian Orchids." It is distinguished from the preceding species by the smaller horizontal usually reddish flowers, narrower lateral sepals tipped by a minute gland, much narrower lip, the adnate plate on which is thickest on the edges, and in the narrower lateral lobes of the column.
10. CALEANA, R. Br.
Glabrous terrestrial herbs. Root of small rounded tubers on fleshy fibres. Leaf solitary, linear or lanceolate or oblong. Flowers solitary or 2–4 in a terminal raceme; bracts acute. Sepals and petals subequal, all linear; the upper sepal erect, the lateral sepals and petals spreading or deflexed (but the position apparently re​versed through the ovary being recurved). Lip uppermost, jointed on to the base of the column or to a projection from it, mobile; claw linear, incurved; lamina ovate or oblong, peltate, undivided, entire, smooth or tuberculate. Column elongate, sometimes produced at the foot, broadly vyinged throughout its whole length, concave. Anther terminal, erect, 2-celled; pollinia 2-partite, granular.
A small genus of 4 species, all of tbem natives of Australia, 1 extending to New Zealand.
1. C. minor, R. Br. Prodr. 329.—Stem slender, wiry, almost filiform, 2–8 in. high, usually tinged with red. Leaf radical, about half as long as the stem, rather fleshy, channelled. Flowers 1–4, about ⅓ in. long including the ovary, greenish tinged with red, reversed; pedicels ¼–½ in.; bracts minute, acute. Sepals and petals narrow-linear, slightly dilated above the middle, nearly equal; upper sepal attached just above the top of the ovary, the lateral affixed to the basal projection of the column. Lip uppermost, very remarkable in shape; the lower portion claw-like and articulated on to the basal projection of the column; the upper part expanded into a broad lamina which is peltately attached to the claw; lamina convex above and covered with close-set reddish tubercles, which are largest towards the margins, under-surface smooth, concave. Column rather long, with a broad basal projection, broadly winged all round, concave, forming a horizontally placed cup or pouch.—Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxiv. (1892) 411; Kirk, l.c. 425; Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 366.
North Island: Auckland—Kaitaia, R. H. Matthews! Rotorua, Rev. F. H. Spencer! Waiotapu, H. J. Matthews! December–January.
A most remarkable little plant. The column is horizontally placed, forming a broad pouch; the lamina of the lip, when at rest, is elevated by the slender elastic claw, and swings directly above it. When an insect alights on the lamina it overbalances, shutting up the insect within the concavity of the column. For a full account of the fertilisation of the genus, reference should be made to Mr. Fitzgerald's magnificent work on Australian Orchids (Vol. i. pt. 6).
11. PTEROSTYLIS, R. Br.
Terrestrial leafy herbs. Root of small rounded tubers on long fleshy fibres. Leaves radical and cauline, either all similar or the radical broader and ovate or oblong, often subrosulate; the cauline lanceolate or linear or reduced to sheathing bracts. Flowers large or small, greenish, usually solitary, rarely several in a terminal raceme. Upper sepal erect, incurved, concave, conniving with the petals and forming a broad boat-shaped hood (galea). Lateral sepals adnate at the base to the foot of the column, more or less connate into an erect or recurved 2-lobed lower lip; the lobes often drawn out into long acuminate points. Petals lanceolate, falcate. ​Lip attached by a short claw to the basal projection of the column, mobile; lamina linear or oblong, produced at the base above the claw into a long or short usually curved appendage. Column elongated, incurved, furnished on each side of the rostellum with a quadrangular or hatchet-shaped membranous wing, the base produced into a horizontal projection. Stigma on the face of the column below the wings, oblong. Anther terminal, erect, 2-celled; pollinia 4, granular, free.
{{smaller block|About 40 species are known. Of the 11 found in New Zealand, 2 are common Australian plants, the others are endemic. The remainder of the genus is Australian, with the exception of one species in New Caledonia. The mode of fertilisation is most curious, and is well worth an attentive study. The upper sepal and petals connive, and form a hood, at the back of which the column is situated. The irritable lip hangs out of the entrance to the flower, and forms a convenient landing-place for insects. When touched by an insect it springs up, carrying the insect with it, and imprisoning it within the flower. The insect can only escape by crawling up the column and passing between the two membranous projecting wings, emerging directly in front of the anther. In doing this, it is first smeared with viscid matter from the projecting rostellum, and then drags away the pollinia, which can hardly fail to adhere to its sticky body. When visiting another flower, it must pass over the stigma before escaping, and is almost certain to leave some of the pollinia on its viscid surface. For a fuller account, see a paper by myself in Trans. N.Z. Inst. v. 352.
A. Antennæa. Lower lip erect, its lobes narroived into long points embracing the galea. :
| * No broad radical leaves. Cauline leaves linear, grass-like, sheathing the whole stem. ||
| Tall, 6–18 in. Leaves ¼–½ in. broad. Flower large, 2–3 in. long; sepals and petals produced into long filiform points | 1. P. Banksii. |
| Short, stout, 4–10 in. Leaves ½–¾ in. broad. Flower small, ¼–¾ in. long; sepals and petals with short subulate points | 2. P. australis. |
| Slender, 4–10 in. Leaves ⅛–¼ in. broad. Flower small, ¼–¾ in. long; sepals and petals with short subulate points | 3. P. graminea. |
| ** Radical leaves broad, oblong to ovate or orbicular, few or numerous and rosulate. Cauline leaves narrow, often reduced to sheathing bracts. ||
| Slender, 4–12 in. Lower leaves ½–1½ in., oblong; cauline 2–5, lanceolate, flat. Flower ¾–1½ in.; galea not decurved | 4. P. micromega. |
| Stout or slender, 6–12 in. Lower leaves large, 1½–3½ in., broadly oblong; cauline few, large, flat. Flower 1–1½ in., galea much decurved at the tip | 5. P. Oliveri. |
| Stout, glabrous, 2–8 in. Lower leaves subrosulate, 1–1¾ in., elliptic-oblong; cauline of 1 or 2 sheathing bracts. Flower ¾ in.; galea arched but not decurved | 6. P. foliata. |
| Small. 2–3 in. Lower leaves 2 or 3, large, ¾–2 in., broadly oblong; cauline wanting. Flower ½–¾ in. | 7. P. venosa. |
| Slender, glabrous, 2–8 in. Lower leaves long-petioled; blade ¼–⅓ in., ovate; cauline narrow, flat. Flower ½–1 in. | 8. P. trullifolia. |
| Puberulous, 2–6 in. Lower leaves short-petioled; blade small, ovate; cauline of 2–4 sheathing bracts. Flowers ⅓–½ in. | 9. P. puberula. ​ |
| B. Catochilus. Lower lip reflexed. Basal appendage of lip entire, obtuse. ||
| Leaves ovate-lanceolate. Flower solitary, large, ¾–1 in. long; lip filiform, clothed with golden-yellow hairs | 10. P. barbata. |
| Leaves ovate. Flowers 2–8, small, ¼ in. long; lip oblong, obtuse, glabrous | 11. P. mutica. |
1. P. Banksii, R. Br. ex A. Cunn. in Bot. Mag. t. 3172.—Tall, slender, leafy, grassy, 6–18 in. high. Lower leaves reduced to scarious sheathing scales; cauline numerous, sheathing the whole stem, usually overtopping the flower but often shorter than it, 3–14 in. long, ¼–½ in. broad, narrow linear-lanceolate, acuminate, pale-green. Flower solitary, large, 2–3 in. long including the tails to the lateral sepals, green, often streaked with red or reddish-brown. Galea erect at the base and then curved forwards; upper sepal produced into a long caudate often filiform point; petals also caudate-acuminate or shortly filiform, but always much shorter than the upper sepal. Lower lip with the entire part broadly cuneate, the free lobes gradually narrowed into long filiform erect tails 1–2 in. long. Lip narrow linear-oblong, obtuse, its tip slightly exserted; basal appendage curved, repeatedly divided and penicillate at the tip. Column slender, more than half the length of the galea, upper lobe of wings with an erect subulate tooth at the outer angle; lower lobe narrow-oblong, obtuse.—A. Cunn. Precur. n. 313; Raoul, Choix, 41; Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 248; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 268. P. emarginata, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xv. (1883) 328. P. patens, Col. l.c. xviii. (1886) 270. P. speciosa, Col. l.c. xxii. (1890) 488. P. auriculata, Col. l.c. 489. P. subsimilis, Col. l.c. xxviii. (1896) 611.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Chatham Islands: Abundant in shaded places from the North Cape southwards. Sea-level to 3500 ft. October–November.
The most widely spread of the New Zealand species. It varies much in size and degree of robustness, the size of the flower, and in the length of the filiform tails to the sepals and petals, &c. Mr. Colenso has made no less than 5 species based upon what appear to me to be exceedingly slight and inconstant differences. After a careful study of his descriptions and specimens I must confess my inability to distinguish any of them, even as varieties.
2. P. australis, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 248.—Habit of P. Banksii but shorter, 4–10 in. high, rarely more. Leaves shorter and broader, seldom overtopping the flower, ½–¾ in. broad, linearlanceolate, acute or acuminate. Flower small, ¾–1¼ in. long, including the points of the sepals. Galea much as in P. Banksii, but the upper sepal and petals are not produced into filiform points. Lower lip with the free lobes narrowed into short subulate erect points not exceeding the galea in length. Lip and column as in P. Banksii.—P. Banksii var. b. Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 268.
South Island: In various localities from Nelson to the south of Otago, but not common. Stewart Island, Chatham Islands: Abundant, Lyall, Kirk! H. H. Travers, F. A. D. Cox! &c. November–January.
No doubt very closely allied to P. Banksii, and to some extent connected with it by intermediate forms. But if it be merged with that species, then for the sake of consistency P. graminea should also be included, for it occupies just the same position on one side of P. Banksii that P. australis does on the other. It seems preferable to treat both as distinct though closely related species.
3. P. graminea, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 248.—Habit of P. Banksii, but smaller and much more slender, 4–10 in. high. Leaves overtopping the flower or shorter than it, 1–5 in. long, ⅛–¼ in. broad, narrow-linear or narrow linear-lanceolate, acute or acuminate. Flower small, ½–¾ in. long, including the points of the sepals. Galea as in P. Banksii, but the upper sepal and petals, although acuminate, are not produced into filiform points or into very short ones. Lower lip with the free lobes narrowed into subulate or shortly filiform erect points almost equalling the galea. Lip and column as in P. Banksii.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 268.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Not uncommon in shaded places in lowland districts from the North Cape southwards. September–November.
Differs from P. Banksii in the smaller size, narrower leaves, and smaller flower with very short tails to the sepals.
4. P. micromega, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 248.—Slender, glabrous, 4–12 in. high. Lower leaves ½–1½ in. long, ¼–½ in. broad, ovate-oblong to linear-oblong or lanceolate, obtuse or acute, sessile or petiolate; cauline 2–5, smaller and narrower, sessile, flat, sheathing at the base, acute or acuminate. Flower large, solitary, erect, ¾–1½ in. long. Galea erect at the base, then incurved, tip horizontal or nearly so; upper sepal narrow, acuminate; petals slightly shorter, broad, falcate, acuminate. Lower lip with the entire part cuneate, the free lobes very gradually narrowed into long filiform points embracing the galea, often quite 1 in. long. Lip narrow-linear, its tip exserted; basal appendage curved, penicillate. Column about half as long asthe galea, upper lobe of wing with an erect subulate tooth, lower lobe oblong, obtuse.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 268. P. polyphylla, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxii. (1890) 489.
North Island: Auckland—Swamps near Lake Taupo, Tryon! near Tongariro, H. Hill! Wellington—Murimotu, Petrie! Karioi, A. Hamilton! swamps in the Wairarapa district, Colenso! Taranaki—Ngaire Swamp, T.F.C. December–January.
Best known by the slender habit, usually few radical leaves, numerous rather small flat cauline leaves, and large flower not decurved at the tip.
5. P. Oliveri, Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvi. (1894) 270.—Stout or slender, leafy, glabrous, 6–12 in. high. Lower leaves ​few, large, 1½–3½ in. long, ¾–1 in. broad, oblong-ovate or elliptic-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, acute, narrowed into a short broad petiole or almost sessile, thin and membranous, veins reticulated; cauline leaves 2 or 3, almost as long but narrower, lanceolate or oblonglanceolate, acute or acuminate, flat, spreading, sheathing at the base. Flowers large, solitary or very rarely two, 1–1½ in. long. Galea bent forwards from above the base and then curved sharply downwards so that the point often reaches the ovary; upper sepal produced into a long acuminate point; petals much shorter, falcate, acuminate. Lower lip with the entire part broadly cuneate, the free lobes gradually narrowed into long filiform points embracing the galea and sometimes 1½ in. long. Lip narrow-linear, obtuse; basal appendage short, curved, penicillate. Column slender, not half the length of the galea; wings with a short upper lobe bearing an erect subulate tooth at the outer angle, lower lobe very long, linear-oblong, obtuse.
South Island: Nelson—Mount Arthur Plateau, T.F.C. Canterbury—Bealey, Kirk! Waimakariri Glacier, T.F.C. Westland—Kelly's Creek, Petrie! Otira Gorge, Cockayne! T.F.C. 1000–4000 ft. December–January.
Very close to P. micromega, but stouter, with much larger radical and cauline leaves, and with the flower very conspicuously decurved.
6. P. foliata, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 249.—Rather stout, glabrous, 2–8 in. high. Lower leaves 2–5, subrosulate, sessile or petioled, 1–1¾ in. long, elliptic-oblong to linear-oblong, obtuse or acute, veins reticulated; cauline leaves reduced to 1 or 2 large sheathing erect lanceolate bracts ½–1 in. long. Flower solitary, erect, ¾ in. long. Galea erect at the base, curved forwards at the tip; upper sepal acute or acuminate; petals falcate, obtuse or subacute. Lower lip with the entire part short, broadly cuneate, the free lobes gradually narrowed into rather short filiform points embracing the galea but not much exceeding it. Lip linear-oblong, flat, obtuse; basal appendage short, curved, penicillate at the tip. Column not half the length of the galea, upper lobe of wing with a subulate tooth; lower lobe linear-oblong, obtuse.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 268.
North Island: Ruahine Mountains and Cape Palliser, Colenso; Patangata, Tryon! South Island: Marlborough, Kirk! Otago—Buchanan! Signal Hill, Millburn, Tuapeka, Petrie! Sea-level to 2500 ft. December–January.
Differs from P. micromega in the stouter habit, larger more reticulate and often decidedly rosulate radical leaves, cauline leaves reduced to sheathing bracts, smaller flowers with shorter points to the lateral sepals, and broader shorter lip.
7. P. venosa, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxviii. (1896) 610.— Small, perfectly glabrous, 2–3 in. high. Leaves 2 or 3 near the base of the stem, large for the size of the plant, ¾–2 in. long, broadly ​oblong to oblong-ovate or elliptic-oblong, obtuse or subacute, thin and membranous, veins conspicuously reticulated; cauline leaves wanting. Scape short; flower solitary, ½–¾ in. long. Galea erect at the base, sharply curved forwards towards the tip; upper sepal acute or acuminate; petals broadly falcate, acute. Lower lip broadly cuneate, the free lobes narrowed into filiform points exceeding the galea, sometimes recurved at the tips. Lip lauceolate,^ narrowed to a blunt point, rather thick, grooved, purplish; basal appendage penicillate at the tip. Column barely half as long as the galea, upper lobe of wing with an erect subulate point; lower lobe oblong, obtuse.— (?) P. trifolia, Col. l.c. xxxi. (1899) 281.
North Island: Ruahine Mountains, Olsen! South Island: Nelson—Mount Frederic, near Westport, Townson! 2000–3500 ft.
So far as can be ascertained from the limited amount of material available, this is separated from P. foliata by the smaller size and proportionately larger leaves, the short scape, which wants the large sheathing bracts of P. foliata, the more sharply curved and more acute galea, and differently shaped lip.
8. P. trullifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 249.—Stem slender, glabrous, 2–6 in. high, seldom more. Radical leaves often wanting in flowering specimens or 1–4, in flowerless ones more numerous and subrosulate, petiolate; blade ¼–⅓ in. long, broadly ovate or orbicular-cordate or trowel-shaped, acute or obtuse; petiole as long or longer than the blade. Cauline leaves or bracts 3–5, flat, spreading, ⅓–1 in. long, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, the lower sometimes broader and petiolate. Flower solitary, ½–1 in. long. Galea erect at the base and then gradually curved forwards; upper sepal lanceolate, acuminate; petals as broad, falcate, acuminate. Lower lip broadly cuneate, the lobes long and filiform, embracing the upper sepal and exceeding it. Lip linear, glabrous, obtuse, its tip exserted; basal appendage linear, much curved, penicillate at the tip. Column less than half the length of the galea; wings with a small triangular upper lobe or tooth; lower lobe oblong, obtuse.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 269. P. rubella, Col. in. Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii. (1886) 271.
North Island: Lowland districts from the North Cape to Wellington, apparently rare and local to the south of the East Cape. South Island: Marlborough—Mount Peter, J. Macmahon!
9. P. puberula, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 249.—Stem slender,, puberulous, especially below, 2–4 in. high. Leaves all radical, crowded in a rosette at the base of the stem, small, shortly petiolate, ⅕–½ in. including the petiole, ovate or ovate-cordate, acute; bracts on the stem above the leaves 2–4, sheathing, erect, lanceolate, acuminate. Flower solitary, erect, ½ in. long. Galea erect, shortly and abruptly incurved towards the tip, the upper sepal acute, the petals as long or rather longer, obtuse. Lateral sepals united for nearly half their length into a narrow almost quadrangular lamina, ​the lobes filiform, erect, separated by a broad truncate sinus which bears a small inflexed tooth in the middle. Lip linear-oblong, obtuse, its tip barely exserted; basal appendage linear, curved, penicillate at the tip. Column about half the length of the galea, the wings with a small erect triangular upper lobe or tooth, the lower lobe linear-oblong, obtuse.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 269.
North Island: Auckland—Clay hills from the Kaipara Harbour southwards to the Thames and Middle Waikato, not common. South Island: Nelson—Vicinity of Westport, Townson! September–October.
A distinct little plant, well marked by the puberulous stems, small rosulate leaves, the short blunt curved tip to the galea, and comparatively short filiform points to the lateral sepals.
10. P. barbata, Lindl. Swan River App. 53.—Stem stout or slender, glabrous, 4–8 in. high. Leaves radical, crowded at the base of the stem, often rosulate, erect, sessile, ¼–¾ in. long, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, acute or acuminate. Stem above the leaves with 2–5 large loosely sheathing erect empty bracts. Flower solitary, ¾–1 in. long. Galea erect, incurved at the tip, oblong; upper sepal and petals both produced into short subulate points, the latter very narrow. Lower lip linear, deflexed, 2-lobed about half-way down, the lobes very narrow, acute or obtuse. Lip ½–¾ in. long, filiform, terete, exserted, pendulous, fringed with long golden yellow hairs and terminated by a large capitate or irregularly lobed purple gland; appendix very short, curved, penicillate at the tip. Column slender, erect; the wings each with a long erect subulate tooth on the front angle, the lower lobe narrow, ciliate.—Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 362. P. squamata, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 249; Fl. Tasm. ii. 20, t. 116; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 269 (not of R. Br.).
North Island: Auckland—Exact locality not stated, Sinclair! near Kaitaia, R. H. Matthews! Lower Thames Valley, from Kopu to Puriri and Kerikeri, Adams! between Mercer and Miranda, T.F.C.; Tirau and other localities in the Upper Thames Valley, T.F.C. October–November.
A very remarkable little plant, at once recognised by the filiform exserted lip, plumose with bright-yellow hairs. It is a common Tasmanian plant, and is also found in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.
11. P. mutica, R. Br. Prodr. 328.—Rather stout, 2–5 in. high. Leaves radical, forming a rosette at the base of the stem, sometimes withering at the flowering season, shortly petiolate, ⅓–¾ in. long, ovate, acute, veins reticulated. Stem with 2–5 large sheathing bracts above the leaves. Raceme 2–8-flowered; flowers small, about ¼ in. long, greenish-brown. Galea very broad, much incurved, obtuse or subacute at the tip. Lower lip small, reflexed, concave, nearly orbicular when spread out, 2-lobed almost to the middle. Lip on a very short flat claw, lamina broadly oblong, obtuse; appendage broad at the base, short and thick, entire, rounded or emarginate at the tip. Column erect; wings broad, ​the lower lobe or auricle broad, obtuse.—Hook. f. Fl. Tasm. ii. 21, t. 117a; Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 362; Fitzgerald, Austral. Orch. i. pt. 2; Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xv. (1883) 300. P. tristis, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii. (1886) 271.
North Island: Hawke's Bay—Waipawa River, H. Hill! South Island: Canterbury—Lake Lyndon and Lake Grassmere, J. W. Enys! Otago—Lee Stream, Sydney Fulton! Horse Range, Naseby, St. Bathan's, Cambrian's, Petrie! Sea-level to 2500 ft. November–January.
An abundant Australian plant, ranging from Queensland to Tasmania.
12. ACIANTHUS, R. Br.
Small tender terrestrial herbs. Root of rounded tubers at theend of long fleshy fibres. Leaf solitary, sessile, cordate. Flowers few or many in a raceme, rarely solitary; bracts usually small. Upper sepal erect or curved over the column, concave, rather narrow, acute or acuminate; lateral sepals narrower, often almost filiform, erect or spreading. Petals shorter than the sepals, subulate-lanceolate. Lip equalling the petals, sessile or nearly so, undivided, base with 2 adnate calli, disc smooth or papillose. Column elongated, erect or incurved, semiterete or winged; stigma cup-shaped, placed under the rostellum. Anther terminal, erect, 2-celled; pollinia 2 or 4 in each cell, granular.
A genus comprising 7 species: 4 in Australia, 2 in New Caledonia, and 1 in New Zealand.
1. A. Sinclairii, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 245.—Stems slender, sometimes almost filiform, 1–6 in. high. Leaf near the base or almost half-way up the stem, sessile, ½–1½ in. long, broadly ovatecordate, acute or acuminate, deeply bilobed at the base, membranous, often purple beneath, veins reticulated. Flowers 2–12, shortly pedicelled, ¼ in. diam., green; bracts ovate, acute, the lowest sometimes foliaceous. Upper sepal ovate-oblong, aristate, 3-nervecl; lateral sepals and petals subulate-lanceolate, acuminate. Lip horizontal or deflexed, ovate-lanceolate, concave, base with 2 large calli, tip thickened and studded with minute fleshy papillae^ Column arched over the lip, much thickened and expanded towards the tip. Pollinia 2 in each anther-cell, deeply bilobed.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 264.
Kermadec Islands, North Island: Abundant in lowland districts throughout. South Island: Marlborough—Pelorus Sound, J. Macmahon! Nelson—Dun Mountain, Kirk! near Westport, W. Townson! Chatham Islands: Abundant, F.A.D. Cox! Miss Seddon! Sea-level to 2500 ft. May–August.
For an account of the fertilisation, see a paper by myself in Trans. N.Z. Inst. vii. 349.
13. CYRTOSTYLIS, R. Br.
Small delicate terrestrial herbs. Eoot of rounded tubers on long fleshy fibres. Leaf solitary, sessile, oblong to orbicular. Flowers few in a terminal raceme, often reduced to one; bracts small. Upper sepal linear or linear-lanceolate, erect or incurved, concave; lateral sepals and petals narrow-linear, spreading or deflexed. Lip horizontally spreading from the base of the column, undivided, oblong, flat, entire; base with 2 calli, produced into raised lines for some distance along the lamina. Column elongated, incurved, winged on each side towards the summit; stigma cup-shaped, placed just under ihe rosteilum. Anther terminal, erect, 2-celled; pollinia 2 in each cell, falcate or lobed.
A genus of 2 closely allied species, one found in New Zealand, the other in Australia.
1. C. oblonga, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 246.—Stems very slender, glabrous, 1–4 in. high. Leaf towards the base of the stem, sessile, spreading, ½–1½ in. long, oblong or oblong-ovate, obtuse or subacute, cordate or rounded at the base, thin and membranous, flat, obscurely 3–5-nerved. Flowers solitary or in a 2–5-flowered raceme, greenish, ⅓in. diam.; bracts small, ovate-lanceolate. Upper sepal narrow linear-obovate, erect; lateral sepals and petals narrow-linear, acute, spreading or deflexed. Lip as long as the sepals, linear-oblong, obtuse. Column slender, about ⅔ the length of the upper sepal. Pollinia 2 in each anther-cell, oblong-falcate.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 264.
Var. rotundifolia.—Altogether like the type, but the leaf is orbicular-cordate, ½–1½ in. diam.—C. rotundifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 246; Handb. N.Z. Fl. 264. C. macrophylla, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. l.c.
North Island: Not uncommon from the North Cape southwards. South Island: Marlborough—Pelorus Sound, J. Rutland, J. Macmahon! Nelson—Buller Valley, T.F.C. Canterbury—Banks Peninsula, Armstrong; Broken River, J. D. Enys! T.F.C. Sea-level to 2500 ft. August–October.
I have been compelled to sink C. rotundifolia as a species. It differs in no respect except in the width of the leaf, and in several localities I have observed the two forms growing intermixed and gradually passing into each other.
14. CALOCHILUS, R. Br.
Glabrous terrestrial herbs. Root of oblong tubers. Leaves 1 or rarely 2 near the base of the stem, narrow-linear; usually there are 1 or 2 foliaceous sheathing bracts higher up. Flowers few in a terminal raceme, rather large, handsome; pedicels short; lower bract usually exceeding the ovary. Sepals almost equal, free; upper erect, broad, concave; lateral spreading. Petals smaller, broadly falcate. Lip as long or longer than the sepals, sessile, spreading or pendulous, undivided, the margins and whole surface except the narrow flexuous tip densely fringed with long hairs. Column short, ​broadly winged; stigma broad, placed under the erect rostellutn. Anther large, terminal, erect or incumbent, obtuse or pointed, 2-celled; pollinia granular.
A genus of 3 very closely related species, all natives of Australia, 2 of them extending to New Zealand as well.
| Anther long, rostrate. Column-wing with a gland on each side near the base just within the front margin | 1. C. campestris. |
| Anther short, obtuse. Column-wing without any gland, but 2 small erect lamellæ on each side of the base of the lip | 2. C. paludosus. |
1. C. campestris, R. Br. Prodr. 320.—Stem stout, 6–18 in. high. Leaf usually solitary, rarely 2, much shorter than the stem, narrow-linear, thick, channelled; cauline leaves or bracts 1 or 2, sheathing. Flowers 2–8, greenish-purple; pedicels ½–1 in. long; bracts acuminate. Upper sepal ⅓–½ in. long, broadly ovate, acute, concave; lateral narrower. Petals shorter, broadly oblong, falcate, veined. Lip ½–¾ in. long; margins and upper surface except the slender flexuous tip covered with long reddish-purple hairs or fimbriæ, which are longest on the upper part of the lip, and shortest near the base, where they are reduced to clavate calli; usually there is a narrow strip across the very base of the lip which is smooth and bare. Column-wings dilated in front and produced into a rounded lobe on each side, on the inner face of which is a conspicuous gland. Anther long, triangular, rostrate.—Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 315; Fitzgerald, Austral. Orch. i. pt. 4; Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxiv. (1892) 427.
North Island: Auckland—Rotorua, Rev. F. H. Spencer! Petrie! November–December.
This doubtless has as wide a range as the following species, but so far I have seen no specimens except from Rotorua. These exactly match the plate in Fitzgerald's Australian Orchids, with the exception that the fimbriæ on the lip never show any trace of blue, but are always red.
2. C. paludosus, R. Br. Prodr. 320.—Very similar in habit and appearance to C. campestris, but usually (though not always) more slender, with a rather longer and narrower leaf. Flowers seldom more than 4. Sepals and petals much as in C. campestris. Lip longer, the surface and margins with long red fimbriæ, the linear bare tip longer, and the base with a thin longitudinal raised plate on each side. Column-wing dilated in front and produced into a rounded lobe on each side, not furnished with a gland on the inner face. Anther short, as broad as long, obtuse, neither acuminate nor rostrate.—Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 316; Fitzgerald, Austral. Orch. i. pt. 4; Buch. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xv. (1883) 240.
North Island: Auckland—Kaitaia, R. H. Matthews! Aponga (near Whangarei), A. Thompson! Rotorua, Petrie! South Island: Nelson—Vicinity of Collingwood, H. H. Travers! near Westport, W. Townson!
15. LYPERANTHUS, R. Br.
Terrestrial herbs, often black when dry. Stems rather stout. Leaves 1–3, sheathing at the base, broad or narrow. Flowers in a terminal raceme or spike, sometimes solitary; bracts large, sheathing. Upper sepal erect, incurved, broad, concave; lateral narrow, spreading or deflexed. Petals similar to the lateral sepals. Lip shorter than the sepals, with a broad erect claw sometimes dilated into small lateral lobes; lamina or middle lobe ovate or lanceolate, entire; disc with ridges or small calli. Column erect or incurved, not winged; stigma placed under the rostellum. Anther terminal, erect, 2-celled; pollinia 4, narrow, subterete, granular.
A somewhat ill-defined genus of 6 species, 4 of which are found in Australia, 1 in New Caledonia, and the remaining one in New Zealand.
1. L. antarcticus, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. ii. 544.—Stems rather stout, 3–8 in. high. Leaves 1–8, sheathing at the base, 1–2½ in. long, the upper smaller, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, acute, rather coriaceous; veins numerous, parallel. Flowers 1–3, greenish, horizontal or nearly so, ⅓–½ in. long; bracts large, cucullate, sheathing, ½–¾ in. long. Upper sepal large, broad, curved over the column, hooded, acute; lateral sepals and petals linear-subulate, acute. Lip with a very short claw; lamina ovate-oblong, obtuse or subacute, margins thick, disc with 5 or 6 slender longitudinal lamellae. Column short, stout, curved.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 270.
South Island: Subalpine localities from Collingwood and the Spenser Mountains southwards, but not common. Stewart Island: Kirk! Auckland Islands: Le Guillon, Bolton, Kirk! 2500 ft. to 4000 ft., descending to sea-level in Stewart Island and the Auckland Islands. December–February.
The upper sepal is much broader and more hooded than in any other species of the genus, the sepals and petals are less spreading, and the column shorter and broader.
16. CALADENIA, R. Br.
Slender terrestrial herbs, usually more or less pilose or villous, rarely glabrous. Root of small rounded tubers terminating fleshy fibres. Leaf solitary from near the base of the stem, linear or lanceolate, more rarely broader and oblong-lanceolate or oblong. Flowers on an erect slender scape, solitary or in few-flowered racemes; bracts small. Upper sepal erect or incurved, narrow, concave; lateral flat, spreading, or rarely all alike and spreading. Petals narrow, erect or spreading. Lip clawed on to the base of the column, undivided or 3-lobed, the lateral lobes when present erect, the middle lobe spreading or reflexed, the margins often toothed or fimbriate, the disc usually studded with linear or clavate sessile or stipitate calli. Column rather long, erect or incurved, more or less 2-winged above; stigma broad, prominent. Anther erect, terminal, 2-celled; pollinia granular.
About 30 species are known, all confined to Australia except the three following, which are endemic in New Zealand.
| Slender. Leaf solitary, linear, 1/16—1/8 in. broad. Scape slender. Flower ¼–⅓ in. diam. Lip 3-lobed | 1. C. minor. |
| Rather stout. Leaf solitary, linear, ⅛–¼ in. broad. Scape stout. Flower ½–1 in. diam. Lip 3-lobed | 2. C. Lyallii. |
| Rather stout. Leaves 2, oblong or lanceolate. Flower ¾ in. diam. Lip undivided | 3. C. bifolia. |
1. C. minor, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 247, t. 56b.—Stems very slender, 3–10 in. high, rarely more, glandular-pilose with spreading hairs. Leaf from near the base of the stem and always shorter than it, 1–8 in. long, 1/16–1/8 broad, very narrow-linear, flat, striate, ciliate or pilose. Flower solitary or rarely 2, pink, about ⅓ in. diam. Sepals subequal, linear or linear-oblong, obtuse or subacute; upper sepal erect; lateral spreading or deflexed. Petals similar to the sepals, spreading. Lip shorter than the sepals, broad, 3-lobed; lateral lobes large, oblong, obtuse, erect, usually marked with transverse purplish bands; middle lobe lanceolate-deltoid, acuminate, reflexed, margins fringed with linear calli; disc with 2 continuous rows of bright-yellow stipitate calli. Column elongate, as long as the lip, incurved, broadly winged. Anther apiculate.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 267. C. variegata. Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvii. (1885) 248.
Var. exigua.—Stem shorter and still more slender, almost filiform, 2–4 in. high. Sepals and petals lanceolate, acuminate. Middle lobe of lip with a single marginal gland on each side; disc with 2 rows of calli as in the type. Perhaps a distinct species.
North and South Islands: From the North Cape to Otago, not uncommon. Sea-level to 2000 ft. September–December. Var. exigua: Kaitaia (Mongonui County), R. H. Matthews!
2. C. Lyallii, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 247.—Rather stout, 4–12 in. high, pilose with long soft hairs. Leaf from near the base of the stem and much shorter than it, ⅛–¼ in. broad, narrow-linear, rather thick, channelled, sparingly pilose on the margins and undersurface. Scape stout, with a sheathing bract about the middle, 1–2-flowered. Flower large, ½–1 in. diam. Upper sepal ⅓–½ in. long, obovate-oblong, erect or incurved, concave; lateral elliptic-oblong. Petals similar to the lateral sepals. Lip about half as long as the lateral sepals, 3-lobed; lateral lobes broad, jagged at the tip, often banded with purple; middle lobe small, recurved; disc with 4 rows of stipitate calli. Column rather long, broadly winged, incurved; anther shortly apiculate.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 267.
South Island, Stewart Island, Auckland Islands.—Not uncommon in subalpine localities. Usually from 2500 ft. to 5000 ft., but descends to sea-level in the Auckland Islands. December–January.
A handsome little plant, much more robust than C. minor, and with much larger flowers.
​3. C. bifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 247.—Stout or slender, glandular-pubescent, 3–9 in. high. Leaves two together towards the base of the stem, spreaduig, 1–2½ in. long, variable in shape, one usually much broader than the other, ovate or oblong to ovatelanceolate or lanceolate, acute, sparingly glandular-pubescent, margins ciliate. Scape 1-flowered, with a sheathing bract a little distance below the flower. Flower white with a tinge of pink, nearly 1 in. diam. when fully expanded. Upper sepal narrow-oblong, obtuse, erect, concave; lateral spreading, linear-lanceolate. Petals shorter and narrower. Lip sessile by a narrow base, spreading, orbicular-obovate, rounded at the tip, undivided, margin entire; disc with two almost continuous lines of yellow calli extending from the middle to the base. Column elongate, incurved, 2-winged, wings not produced behind the anther.—Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 267. C. macrophylla, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvii. (1895) 396. Chiloglottis Traversii, F. Muell. Veg. Chath. Is. 51.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Chatham Islands, Auckland Islands: Not uncommon in upland districts from Lake Taupo and Mount Egmont southwards. Ascends to 4500 ft., descends to sea-level in the extreme south and in the outlying islands. December–January.
A curious plant, the genus of which is doubtful. It was referred to Chiloglottis by Mueller, and certainly is allied to it in habit, but it wants the essential character of the wings of the column produced into 2 lobes behind the anther. On the whole I think it is best retained in Caladenia.
17. CHILOGLOTTIS, R. Br.
Terrestrial herbs, with small underground tubers. Leaves 2, radical or nearly so, oblong or linear-oblong. Scape 1-flowered, with a solitary bract below the flower. Upper sepal erect, incurved, concave, narrowed at the base; lateral narrow-linear or terete, spreading or reflexed. Petals lanceolate, falcate. Lip attached to the base of the column by a short or long claw, ovate or obovate, undivided; disc with variously arranged calli. Column elongated, incurved, winged; wings produced at the top into 2 erect lobes often equalling the anther. Stigma placed just under the rostellum. Anther terminal, erect, 2-celled; pollinia 4, granular.
A small genus of 7 species, 6 of which are natives of Australia, one of them extending to New Zealand, the remaining one confined to New Zealand. The genus differs from Caladenia principally in the 2-leaved stem and in the wing of the column extending behind the anther. Caladenia bifolia has the habit of Chiloglottis, but the column-wing is that of Caladenia, in which genus I have retained it.
| Stout, upper sepal broad ovate-lanceolate; lateral sepals and petals erect. Lip very shortly clawed, trowel-shaped | 1. C. cornuta. |
| Slender. Upper sepal linear-spathulate. Petals deflexed. Lip with very long narrow claw, lamina rhomboid | 2. C. formicifera. |
​1. C. cornuta, Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. i. 69.—Usually rather stout, perfectly glabrous, 2–5 in. high. Leaves 2, close together, petiolate, spreading, 1–3 in. long, ½–1 in. broad, oblong or linear-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, acute or subacute, flat, rather fleshy when fresh; veins parallel, connected by transverse veinlets. Scape very short at first, but lengthening as the flower withers and sometimes 4–8 in. long in fruit, 1-flowered or very rarely 2-flowered; bract sheathing. Flower about ½ in. diam., green, sometimes spotted with purple. Upper sepal broadly ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, erect. Lateral sepals placed in front of the lip, linear-lanceolate. Petals ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, erect. Lip triangular-cordate or trowel-shaped, acute, concave; disc with 3 large stalked rounded calli near the base, 2 linear ones on each side higher up, and 3 smaller rounded ones between them. Column curved forwards, winged; the wings expanded above and produced upwards into 2 lobes exceeding the anther.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 269.
North and South Islands, Chatham Islands, Stewart Island, Antipodes Island, Auckland and Campbell Islands: Moist shaded places from Kaitaia and Mongonui southwards, not common. Sea-level to 3000 ft. October–December.
The calli on the labellum probably vary in number and shape, judging from Hooker's description in "Flora Antarctica."
2. C. formicifera, Fitzgerald, Austral. Orch. i. 3 (1877).—Slender, delicate, 2–3 in. high. Leaves 2, close together, sessile, spreading, 1–2 in. long, linear-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, thin and membranous, margins often undulate when fresh; veins parallel, connected by transverse veinlets. Scape 2–3 in. high, 1-flowered; bract near the top, sheathing. Flower about ½ in. long. Upper sepal linear-spathulate, erect, acuminate; lateral about the same length, linear, acuminate. Petals linear-lanceolate, abruptly deflexed, about as long as the sepals. Lip horizontal or ascending, contracted below into a long and narrow claw, above suddenly expanded into a short and broad spoon-shaped or rhomboid lamina, the tip of which is usually reflexed; disc with numerous calli, the largest of which is placed at the base, and projects from it, with a kind of double head, towards the column; in front of this is a large flat heart-shaped gland, and rows of smaller calli reach the apex of the lip. Column arched forward, broadly winged.—Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxxiii. (1901) 312.
North Island: Auckland—Kaitaia (Mongonui County), R. H. Matthews! September–October.
A very remarkable little plant, previously known only from eastern Australia. Mr. Matthews's specimens agree in all respects with Mr. Fitzgerald's beautiful plate.
18. ADENOCHILUS, Hook. f.
Slender terrestrial herbs. Leaf solitary, placed near the middle of the stem, ovate. Peduncle slender, 1-flowered, with 1 or 2 sheathing bracts between the flower and the leaf, the upper of which sometimes bears in its axil the minute rudiment of a second flower. Flower small. Upper sepal erect, incurved, concave or almost galeate; lateral lanceolate, placed under the lip. Petals linear-lanceolate, almost equalling the sepals. Lip shortly clawed on to the base of the column, 3-lobed; lateral lobes large, erect; middle lobe smaller, caudate, reflexed; disc and middle lobe with several rows of small stalked calli. Column slender, curved, winged; wings produced upwards into 2 toothed lobes. Stigma prominent, placed just under the rostellum. Anther terminal, erect, 2-celled; pollinia 4 in each cell, granular.
The genus is limited to two species: one endemic in New Zealand, the other (A. Nortoni, Fitzgerald) in Australia. It is closely allied to both Caladenia and Chiloglottis, differing from the former in the wing of the column extending behind the anther, and from the latter in the solitary leaf and glandular-pubescent perianth.
1. A. gracilis, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 246, t. 56a.—Stem slender, glabrous, 5–10 in. high. Leaf sessile half-way up the stem, ½–1 in. long, ovate or ovate-oblong, acute, membranous, veins reticulated. Flower about ½ in. diam., more or less finely glandular-pubescent. Ovary narrow, cylindrical, ½–¾ in. long. Upper sepal adnate to the back of the column towards the base, acuminate; lateral sepals and petals subsimilar, erect, acuminate. Lip much shorter than the sepals and petals and almost concealed by them; middle lobe much smaller than the lateral, caudate, reflexed; calli numerous, stipitate, yellow. Column broadly winged for its whole length, wings produced upwards behind the anther into two broad toothed lobes.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 265.
North Island: Forests near Lake Waikaremoana, Colenso! South Island: Nelson—Near Foxhill, P. Lawson! Buller Valley, T.F.C.; Mount Owen, Townson! Otago—Mount Maungatua, forests to the west of Lake Te Anau, Petrie! near Lake Hauroto, G. M. Thomson! 500–2500 ft. November–January.
19. TOWNSONIA, n. gen.
A small slender terrestrial herb. Root of creeping fleshy caudicles thickened here and there into small tubers. Radical leaves 1–3 from the caudicles, rarely at the base of the flowering-stem, petiolate, ovate-orbicular. Cauline leaf or empty bract solitary half-way up the stem, sessile, ovate, acute, often much reduced in size. Flowers 1 or 2, small; perianth horizontal or deflexed. Upper sepal much incurved, broad, concave, almost galeate; lateral placed in front of the lip, lanceolate, margins involute. Petals minute, erect. Lip clawed on to the base of the ​column; lamina erect, undivided, broadly ovate-rhomboid, subcordate at the base, entire, margins involute and clasping the column towards the base; disc smooth, without calli or ridges, or with an obscure thickening on each side near the base. Column rather shorter than the lip, erect, broadly and equally winged from the base; wings not continued upwards behind the anther. Stigma prominent, placed just under the small rostellum. Anther terminal, erect, 2-celled; pollinia free, granular.
A very curious little plant. It is clearly allied to Adenochilus, of which it has the habit, but differs in the smooth undivided lip, minute petals, and in the column-wings not being produced upwards behind the anther. The smooth undivided lip also separates it from Chiloglottis, Caladenia, Burnettia, and other allied genera. Believing it to form the type of a new genus, I have much pleasure in dedicating it to its discoverer, Mr. W. Townson, of Westport, to whom I am much indebted for specimens and information respecting the botany of the north-western portion of the South Island.
1. T. deflexa, Cheesem.—Very slender, 3–6 in. high. Radical leaves on slender petioles ½–1½ in. long; blade ¼–½ in., broadly oblong or orbicular-ovate, obtuse or apiculate, rounded or subcordate at the base, thin and menibranous, veins reticulated. Cauline leaf ovate, acute, often very small and scale-like. Flowers small, ⅙–¼ in. long, greenish.
South Island: Nelson—Vicinity of Westport, Townson! November-December.
20. CORYSANTHES, R. Br.
Dwarf very delicate succulent terrestrial herbs. Root of small rounded tubers on fleshy caudicles. Leaf solitary, ovate-cordate or orbicular or reniform. Flower solitary, large for the size of the plant, at first almost sessile on the leaf, but peduncle elongating considerably in fruit. Upper sepal large, erect and incurved, helmet-shaped; lateral free, small and linear, or long and filiform. Petals similar to the lateral sepals but smaller, sometimes wanting. Lip large, the lower portion tubular, the margins meeting behind the column and enclosing it; base with a rounded auricle on each side of the column or with a hollow conical spur; upper part truncate or expanded into a broad abruptly reflexed limb; margins entire or denticulate or fimbriate. Column short, straight, 2-winged at the top; stigma broad, placed just under the rostellum. Anther large, terminal, erect, 2-celled; pollinia 4, powdery, free.
A very curious genius of about 16 species, found in Malaya, Australia, and New Zealand, the species of each country being endemic.
A. Lip produced downwards into 2 conical spurs at the base. Lateral sepals and petals minute. :
| Leaf ¼–½ in., sessile, ovate-cordate | 1. C. Cheesemanii. ​ |
| B. Lip with 2 rounded orifices at the base. Lateral sepals and petals filiform, longer than the lip (except in G. Matthewsii). ||
| Leaf ½–1 in., sessile, ovate- or orbicular-cordate. Lateral sepals and petals about half as long as the lip. Lip truncate, entire or minutely denticulate | 2. C. Matthewsii. |
| Leaf ¾–1½ in., sessile, ovate-oblong, rounded or cordate at the base. Lip truncate, coarsely toothed or fimbriate | 3. C. oblonga. |
| Leaf ½–2 in., sessile, oblong-ovate, acuminate. Upper sepal acuminate. Lip bent forwards and downwards, acuminate | 4. C. rivularis. |
| Leaf ½–1¼ in., sessile or shortly petiolate, broadly oblong or orbicular, apiculate. Upper sepal acute. Lip abruptly reflexed and expanded, apex acute | 5. C. rotundifolia. |
| Leaf ½–2 in., petiolate, orbicular or reniform, 3-lobed at the tip. Upper sepal obtuse. Lip abruptly refiexed and expanded, apex rounded | 6. C. triloba. |
| Large and stout, 2–8 in. high. Leaf on a petiole ½–3 in. long; lamina ½–3 in., broadly oblong or orbicular. Upper sepal acute. Lip large, abruptly reflexed and much expanded | 7. C. macrantha. |
1. C. Cheesemanii, Hook. f. ex T. Kirk in Trans. N.Z. Inst. iii. (1871) 180.—A very small species, ½–1 in. high when in flower, rarely more. Leaf sessile, ¼–½ in. long, ovate-cordate or orbicular-cordate, apiculate, membranous, veins conspicuous when dry. Flower sessile or shortly peduncled, about ⅝ in. long, dull-purple; bract short, sheathing. Upper sepal very large, helmet-shaped, curved over the lip, obtuse. Lateral sepals minute, subulate, erect, placed between the basal spurs of the lip. Petals frequently wanting, when present very minute, deflexed, placed under or behind the basal spurs of the lip. Lip very large, tubular, the margins involute and meeting behind the column and enclosing it, the base produced downwards on each side into a short conical spur; the mouth expanded and abruptly recurved; margins entire. Column short, stout, erect, with a large fleshy gland at the base. Anther terminal, very large. Capsule ⅓ in. long, linear-oblong, elevated on the greatly elongated peduncle, which is sometimes over 6 in. long.—Ic. Plant. t. 1120.
{[sc
A very curious little plant, probably not uncommon, but easily overlooked, from its small size and early flowering-period. It is very closely allied to the. Australian C. bicalcarata, and may prove identical with it.}}
2. C. Matthewsii, Cheesem. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxxi. (1899) 351.—Small, delicate, ¾–1½ in. high. Leaf sessile, ½–1 in. long, ovate-cordate or orbicular-cordate, acute or obtuse, membranous, when dry, showing 1 or 2 circular veins on each side of the midrib connected by transverse veinlets. Flower shortly peduncled, aoout ⅓ in. long, horizontal or drooping, purplish-green; bract small, erect. Upper sepal very narrow at the base, broadened above and ​hood-shaped, arched over the lip. Lateral sepals and petals small, linear-subulate, seldom more than ½ as long as the lip. Lip large, involute, the margins meeting behind the column and enclosing it, orbicular-cordate when spread out; base with a rounded auricle on each side; apex truncate, entire or very slightly denticulate; disc with a thickened patch covered with deflexed hairs. Column short, stout, curved, swollen in front at the base.
North Island: Auckland—Kaitaia (Mongonui County), R. H. Matthews! July–August.
Clearly allied to C. oblonga, but the flower is larger, the lateral sepals and petals much reduced in size, the upper sepal narrower at the base and more hood-shaped at the top, and the margin of the lip is not coarsely fringed.
3. C. oblonga, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 266.—Variable in size, ½–2 in. high. Leaf sessile, ¾–1½ in. long, ovate-oblong, apiculate, rounded or cordate at the base, thin and membranous, conspicuously veined when dry. Flowers small, shortly peduncled, solitary or very rarely two together, about ¼ in. long, reddish-purple; bract rather large, sometimes foliaceous, erect. Upper sepal narrow, concave, oblong when spread out, obtuse or apiculate, arched over the lip. Lateral sepals and petals filiform, ¼–¾ in. long. Lip involute, the margins meeting behind the column and enclosing it, broadly semicordate when spread out; base with a rounded auricle or orifice on each side; apex truncate, coarsely toothed or fimbriate, centre of disc with minute dentiform papillæ. Column short, stout, curved to the front, with a swelling at the base.—Nematoceras oblonga, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 250, t. 57b.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Not uncommon on moist shaded banks from the North Cape southwards. Sea-level to 2000 ft. September–November.
4. C. rivularis, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 266.—Very delicate and membranous, 1–2½ in. high. Leaf sessile, ½–2 in. long, ovate or oblong-ovate, acuminate, deeply cordate or almost 2-lobed at the base, very thin and membranous, veins conspicuous, reticulated. Flower shortly pedunculate or sessile between the lobes of the leaf, ⅓–½ in. long; bract narrow, acuminate. Upper sepal narrow, concave, arched over the lip, gradually tapering into a long filiform point. Lateral sepals and petals filiform, 1–2 in. long, the petals usually exceeding the sepals. Lip involute, the margins meeting behind the column and enclosing it, broadly ovate-cordate when spread out; base with a rounded auricle or orifice on each side; upper portion curved forwards and downwards, acuminate or apiculate, margins undulate, entire. Column very short, stout, erect.—Nematoceras rivularis, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 251.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: In damp wooded ravines from the North Cape southwards, but often local. Sea-level to 2000 ft. September–November.
​A very remarkable and distinct species, easily recognised by the thin acuminate leaf, very long filiform petals and lateral sepals, by the filiform point to the upper sepal, and acuminate lip.
5. C. rotundifolia, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 266.—Variable in size, ½–2 in. high. Leaf sessile or shortly petiolate, ½–1¼ in. long, broadly oblong or orbicular, tip rounded and apiculate, deeply cordate or 2-lobed at the base, rather fleshy, membranous when dry, veins reticulated. Peduncle at first very short, but elongating as the flower withers. Flower ½ in. long, dull-purple or purplish-green; bract short. Upper sepal narrow, concave, arched over the lip, acuminate. Lateral sepals and petals filiform, 1–1½ in. long. Lip tubular below, the margins meeting behind the column and enclosing it, base with a rounded auricle on each side; upper part abruptly recurved and expanded, tip acute, margins very minutely denticulate. Column short, stout, bent backwards.—C. orbiculata, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxiii. (1891) 389. Nematoceras rotundifolia, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 251.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Auckland and Campbell Islands: Moist wooded ravines throughout, but often local. Sea-level to 2500 ft. September–December.
This may not be the C. rotundifolia of the Handbook, which is described as having a truncate lip. It differs from C. rivularis in the more coriaceous leaf, with a rounded tip, in the upper sepal not being produced into a filiform point, and in the broader reflexed portion of the lip. From small forms of C. macrantha it is best distinguished by the almost sessile leaf and much smaller lip with an acute or acuminate tip. Mr. R. H. Matthews sends me specimens from Kaitaia with the leaves deeply lobed on each side, so as to be almost panduriform.
6. C. triloba, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 265.—Rather stout, variable in size. Leaf on a petiole ½–2 in. long; blade ½–1½ in. diam., reniform or orbicular, more or less distinctly 3-lobed at the tip, middle lobe acute, cordate at the base, fleshy when fresh, membranous when dry. Peduncle at first short, but elongating as the flower withers, and in fruit often 4–8 in. long. Flower ⅓–½ in. long, dull-purple; bract rather small. Upper sepal narrow at the base, dilated above, obovate-spathulate when spread out, arched over the lip, concave, obtuse at the tip. Lateral sepals and petals filiform, erect, ¾–2 in. long. Lip involute, tubular below, the margins meeting behind the column and enclosing it, and with a rounded auricle or orifice at the base on each side; upper part abruptly reflexed and much expanded laterally and downwards, forming a broad saucer-like entrance to the flower; margins erose or nearly entire. Column short, stout, bent backwards.—C. hypogæa, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 336. Nematoceras triloba, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 250.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island: Shaded places from the North Cape southwards, but often local. Sea-level to 2000 ft. July–September.
​7. C. macrantha, Hook. f. Handb. N.Z. Fl. 266.—Much larger than the other species, 2–8 in. high or more. Leaf on a petiole ½–3 in. long; lamina ¾–2 in. diam., broadly oblong or orbicular, obtuse or apiculate or rarely 3-lobed at the tip, cordate or 2-lobed at the base, thick and fleshy when fresh, thin and membranous when dry, veins finely reticulate. Peduncle from the base of the petiole, at first short, but elongating as the flower withers, often 4–10 in. long in fruit. Flower large, ½–1 in. long, dark-purple; bract small. Upper sepal narrow, concave, arched over the lip, somewhat expanded above, acute or acuminate. Lateral sepals and petals filiform, 1–2 in. long. Lip large, tubular below, the margins meeting behind the column and enclosing it, base with a rounded auricle on each side, upper part abruptly recurved and much expanded all round, margins undulate, minutely erose ordenticula.te. Column short, stout, bent backwards.—C. papillosa, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. (1884) 337. Nematoceras macrantha, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 229, t. 57a.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Chatham Islands, Auckland and Campbell Islands: Not uncommon in damp shaded places throughout. Sea-level to 2500 ft. October–December.
Closely allied to C. triloba, but much larger, the leaves rarely 3-lobed at the tip, the upper sepal acute or acuminate, and the lip larger. Both it and C. triloba frequently have the peduncle bent backwards, so that the flower lies with the upper sepal undermost and the lip above.
21. GASTRODIA, R. Br.
Leafless terrestrial brownish herbs. Root long, tuberous, usually parasitic on the roots of other plants. Stem simple, erect, furnished with lax sheathing scales. Flowers in a terminal raceme. Sepals and petals connate into a ventricose 5-lobed tube more or less slit on the anterior side. Lip shorter than the perianth, attached at the base to the foot of the column, and adnate at the back to the perianth-tube; lamina erect, furnished with longitudinal raised lines or naked, margins undulate. Column long or short, narrowly 2-winged; rostellum small; stigma near the base of the column, prominent. Anther lid-like, incumbent; pollinia free, granular.
A small genus of 8 or 9 species, ranging from New Zealand and Australia northwards to Malaya, the Himalayas, China, and Japan.
| Raceme 2–8 in., many-flowered. Perianth ¾ in. Column elongated, ⅔ the length of the lip | 1. G. sesamoides. |
| Raceme 6–12 in., very many flowered. Perianth ½ in. Column very short, barely ¼ the length of the lip | 2. G. Cunninghamii. |
| Stem slender, almost filiform. Raceme 1–3 in., 3–5-flowered. Perianth ½ in. Column very short, barely ¼ the length of the lip | 3. G. minor. |
G. Hectori, Buch. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xix. (1887) 214, is shown by the specimens in Mr. Buchanan's herbarium to be a Prasophyllum, probably P. patens, R. Br.
1. G. sesamoides, R. Br. Prodr. 330.—Root very long and tuberous. Stem stout or slender, 1–2½ ft. high, mottled grey; sheathing scales loose, truncate or with an obtuse point. Raceme 2–8 in. long, many-flowered; bracts scarious, broadly ovate, shorter than the pedicels. Flowers brownish-white, about ⅔ in. long without the ovary, drooping. Perianth ventricose, gibbous at the base, shortly 5-lobed; lobes short and broad, ovate, constricted at the base. Lip slightly shorter than the perianth; lamina oblong, with 2 thick ridges up the median line, which coalesce into one near the tip, margins much crisped and undulate. Column elongate, almost as long as the lip, angular, narrowly winged above; stigma a large protuberance at the very base.—Hook f. Fl. Tasm. ii. 31, t. 126; Benth. Fl. Austral. vi. 309; Fitzgerald, Austral. Orch. ii. pt. 5; Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxvi. (1894) 272.
North Island: Auckland—Kaitaia, R. B. Matthews! Northern Wairoa, T.F.C.; Great Barrier Island, Kirk! near Auckland, T.F.C.; East Cape district, Adams and Petrie! South Island: Westland—Kelly's Creek, Petrie! Sea-level to 1500 ft. December–January.
The long slender column at once separates this from the following species, which it otherwise much resembles. In Australia it ranges from Queensland to Tasmania.
2. G. Cunninghamii, Hook. f. Fl. Nov. Zel. i. 251.—Habit and appearance of G. sesamoides but usually smaller and more slender, 1–3 ft. high or even more. Stem brownish, often striped and spotted with purple or fawn colour. Raceme 6–10 in. long, very many-flowered, pedicels slender, ⅕–⅓ in.; bracts ovate, acute, scarious. Flowers brownish-white, ½ in. long without the ovary, drooping. Perianth tubular, much swollen at the base, split half-way down on the anterior face, shortly 5-lobed; lobes broad, ovate-deltoid, acute. Lip rather shorter than the perianth; lamina narrow trowel-shaped with 2 papillose ridges running up the middle and uniting near the tip; margins involute, membranous, much crisped and undulate. Column very short, barely ¼ the length of the lip.—Handb. N.Z. Fl. 263; Petrie. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxv. (1893) t. 20, f. 1–4. G. leucopetala, Col. in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xviii. (1886) 268.
North and South Islands, Stewart Island, Chatham Islands: Not uncommon in dark shaded places, but easily overlooked. Sea-level to 2000 ft. Perei; Makaika. November–January.
The starchy thick and tuberous root was formerly collected by the Maoris and eaten, especially in the Urewera district.
3. G. minor, Petrie in Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxv. (1893) 273, t. 20, f. 5–7.—Stem umber-brown, not spotted, very slender, 8–15 in. ​high, 1/12 in. diam. at the base; sheathing scales few, oblique. Raceme 1–3 in. long, 3–5-flowered; pedicels slender, ⅕ in. long; bracts short, broad, scarious. Flowers brownish tipped with dirty-white, ½ in. long without the ovary, drooping. Perianth ventricose, gibbous at the base, split about half-way down on the anterior side, shortly 5-lobed; lobes rounded-ovate, undulate. Lip hardly shorter than the perianth; lamina linear -oblong, obtuse, with 2 thick median ridges; margins incurved, thickened, slightly crumpled. Column very short, barely ¼ the length of the lip.
South Island: Otago—Opihi Creek, near Dunedin, Petrie! January.
Dried specimens differ very little in appearance from slender forms of G. Cunninghamii; but according to Mr. Petrie there are important difierences in the lip and column.