Earina autumnalis

easter orchid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Epidendreae
Subtribe: Glomerinae
Genus: Earina
Binomial name
Earina autumnalis
(G.Forst.) Hook.f.
Synonyms[1]
  • Epidendrum autumnale G.Forst.
  • Cymbidium autumnale (G.Forst.) Sw.
  • Malaxis autumnalis (G.Forst.) Spreng.
  • Earina suaveolens Lindl.
  • Earina alba Colenso
Easter orchid on Karioi

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]

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.

References

  1. 1 2 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
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