Bamboo Orchid

Of course, another post on New Zealand natives. The problem with natives here is that they are so awesome!

On a recent hike, I was lucky enough to come across an incredible display of plants. The featured photo for this post is of Earina mucronata, Bamboo Orchid. It is an epiphytic orchid that has very distinct grass-like foliage. Unfortunately I didn’t see any that were blooming. That only happens in summer. I think that finding a wild orchid is about as much as I can ask, anyway.

In New Zealand, there are 3 native species of Earina, and they range across the entire country in the moisture laden forests. Even with the camera up close, it’s difficult to see the little bulbils at the base of each leaf. They max out at around a millimeter in width, so its no surprise. Scanning further along the branch, I found other interesting plants.

I couldn’t resist slipping this photo in. The new growth on this fern has a very cool bronze tinge to it. I don’t have a name for it, but it’s neat just to look at.

The bamboo orchid is only the second orchid I’ve ever come across out of garden cultivation. It was really neat to find it on my own, and you can bet that I’ll continue to do so in the future!