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Odd Leaved Orchid (26)
LordPotty
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1449 W: 146 N: 3764]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (12035) | Aporostylis bifolia
Odd-Leaved Orchid
PLANT: 5 to 20cm in height when in flower.
LEAVES: 2 hairy leaves of different sizes. The lower to 10cm in length, the upper shorter. Plain green, or brownish-green with blotches. Elliptic or linear.
FLOWER: Solitary. 2cm in diameter. White with yellow and/or brown marks on the labellum. Lateral sepals and petals similar. Labellum broadly expanded. Column speckled with green or brown.
FLOWERING TIME:
December - January.
HABITAT: Higher altitude Beech forests, sub-alpine to alpine herbfields, alpine meadows. Also found near sea-level in the lower South Island.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Not threatened. Locally common.
NOTES: There may be 2 distinct forms.
(from the New Zealand Native Orchid Group website)
Those of you who saw my forum post yesterday will know that I've been away in the mountains again.
I walked the Croesus track across the Paparoa Ranges from Blackball to Barrytown with my son Aqua.
Much of the middle section of the track is at around 1000 metres above sea level, and in many places there is an abundance of alpine orchids, as well as alpine sundews, South Island Eidelweiss, and many other fascinating alpine plants.
I also got some great shots of the amazing beech 'cloud forest' lower down, which I'll post in the next few days.
I'm off to the mountains again tomorrow, this time to Arthurs Pass, to see those naughty Keas again, and hopefully photograph the Mount Cook Lily.
I'll be back tomorrow night, and will TRY to catch up with a few more critiques.
Cheers
Steve |
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