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Story: Orchids

Sun orchid

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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.

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by Ian St George

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How to cite this page

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

Story by Ian St George, published 1 March 2009.