Gastrodia sp. NZ Potato Orchid
Gastrodia is a strange orchid genus as it grows from a potato like tuber filled with starch below ground one or more upright stems carrying its flowers. The stems do not have chlorophyll.
The genus was described by Robert Brown in 1810 and has about 15 species throughout NZ, Australia and pacific islands.
This plant is an epiparasite meaning it lives symbiotically with another plant (in this case a fungus) which in turn obtains its nutrients from a third plant, usually a tree. Gastrodia will not survive without the fungi. This makes it impossible to transplant so best to take pictures and enjoy it in its natural surroundings. Note: it is illegal to sell NZ Native orchids.
NZ has three species of Gastrodia and possibly another two that have not been named yet as further investigation is required. As flowering can be sporadic obtaining enough specimens for study is difficult.
G. sesamoides is found throughout NZ and also in Australia.
G.cunninghamii grows taller than G. sesamoides up to 900mm. Its flower column inside the small flower is very short but otherwise they both look similar. G.cunninghamii was named after Allan and Richard Cunningham early plant collectors in NZ. Maori name is Huperei.
G. Minor is a small species with a short stem (80 -240mm high) with only about 10 flowers.
G. molloyii. G. ’Long Column’ (Rolfe) has photographed these two undescribed species one he calls ‘Long Column and the other ‘Short Column’. 2018 update. G. "Long Column" has now been identified as G. molloyii in honour of Dr Brian Molloy retired botanist with Landcare.
www.nativeorchids.co.nz.
The genus was described by Robert Brown in 1810 and has about 15 species throughout NZ, Australia and pacific islands.
This plant is an epiparasite meaning it lives symbiotically with another plant (in this case a fungus) which in turn obtains its nutrients from a third plant, usually a tree. Gastrodia will not survive without the fungi. This makes it impossible to transplant so best to take pictures and enjoy it in its natural surroundings. Note: it is illegal to sell NZ Native orchids.
NZ has three species of Gastrodia and possibly another two that have not been named yet as further investigation is required. As flowering can be sporadic obtaining enough specimens for study is difficult.
G. sesamoides is found throughout NZ and also in Australia.
G.cunninghamii grows taller than G. sesamoides up to 900mm. Its flower column inside the small flower is very short but otherwise they both look similar. G.cunninghamii was named after Allan and Richard Cunningham early plant collectors in NZ. Maori name is Huperei.
G. Minor is a small species with a short stem (80 -240mm high) with only about 10 flowers.
G. molloyii. G. ’Long Column’ (Rolfe) has photographed these two undescribed species one he calls ‘Long Column and the other ‘Short Column’. 2018 update. G. "Long Column" has now been identified as G. molloyii in honour of Dr Brian Molloy retired botanist with Landcare.
www.nativeorchids.co.nz.
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