Earina autumnalis
| Earina autumnalis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Genus: | Earina |
| Species: | E. autumnalis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Earina autumnalis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Earina autumnalis, (commonly known as Easter orchid, or in Māori, raupeka) is a species of orchid that is endemic to New Zealand (North and South Islands, plus Chatham Island).[1] It typically blooms in autumn, or February-April in New Zealand. The blooms can be between 5 and 30cm long.
Its small white flowers produce a strong fragrance - a generally pleasant scent which is often compared to vanilla in nature. It generally occurs as an epiphyte or lithophyte - in the former situation it frequently grows in close association with other endemic orchid species such as Winika cunninghamii. It is often found around lakes (Such as Lakw Manapouri) where the winters are warmer. The plant is frost tolerant but not by much, and relies on insulation from moss and other plants to protects its from harsher winters.
References
External links
- Picture and description Archived 2008-10-14 at the Wayback Machine