Skip to main content

Kōrero: Orchids

Sun orchid

Image
Sun orchid

New Zealand’s commonest sun orchid is the white or pink-flowered Thelymitra longifolia. It has a single, fleshy, strap-like leaf and produces a flowering stem bearing three to eight flowers. This orchid is common in open habitats and is found throughout New Zealand. Sun orchids are so named because some will only open their flowers if they are in full sunlight.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection

by Ian St George

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Ian St George, Orchids – Orchids of open scrub and wetland, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/9939/sun-orchid (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Ian St George, i tāngia i te 1 March 2009.