Flowering orchids on Mt Grey/Maukatere delight locals

While walking on Canterbury’s Mt Grey this summer local Rangiora resident Elizabeth Brocherie discovered a display of orchids to rival the Ellerslie flower show!

Aporostylis bifolia

Having tramped in the area for more than 30 years looking for plants, Elizabeth says this is one of the most prolific seasons for orchids she’s ever seen.

Here, Elizabeth shares photos of her fantastic finds, so we can all share in her delight. This is what she found in one day on the Summit and Red Beech tracks:

Adenochilis gracilis

Found the Slender Forest Orchid (Adenochilis gracilis) in moss underneath beech forest at the top of the Red Beech Track. It is more wide-spread than last year.

Aporostylis bifolia

First time ever identified on Mt Grey – on a damp bank on the Summit Track not far from the bush exit. The leaves had brown (freckled) spots on them. Flower, stem, and leaves are hairy.

Aporostylis bifolia

Caladenia lyallii / northofagit / chlorostyla

All have hairy stems and the throats have either spots of stripes.

Chilligotis cornuta

This widespread orchid bears the more common name “Green bird” and is found both here in New Zealand and in Australia.

Corybus trilobus

Flowering only from July to Oct-Nov. Elizabeth found numerous colonies on the sides of the tracks.

Gastrodia

I’ve never seen this genus on Mt Grey before.

Gastrodia: In bud, in flower and close up of flowers

Microtis unifolia

Microtis unifolia

“Grass orchid” – very prolific.

Pterostylis banksii and P.areolata

Pteron is the Greek term for winged. Unsure it was a P.areolata but photographed it for further ID.

Thelymitra longifolia

Everywhere – flowers only burst when it’s hot.

Thelymitra pauciflora

On the side of the track; blue to pink

Pterostylis banksii

About New Zealand native orchids

“New Zealand has over 160 species of native orchid. Found from the coastline to the alpine herb-fields, these shy creatures are a much overlooked part of the New Zealand Native Flora. ” NZ Native Orchid Group

Learn more about New Zealand’s native orchids on the NZ Native Orchid Group website.

About Mt Grey/Maukatere Conservation Area

Mt Grey/Maukatere Conservation Area is one of the foothill beech forests in North Canterbury. Only an hour’s drive northwest of Christchurch it’s accessed through Ashley Forest – a commercial forestry plantation managed by Rayonier.

Māori named Mt Grey ‘Maukatere’ (floating mountain) because the spirits of the dead were believed to leave from the summit on the long journey to Cape Reinga.