Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Orchidaceae Juss.
Genus
Microtis R.Br.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Microtis parviflora R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. 321 (1810)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Microtis porrifolia var. parviflora (R.Br.) Rodway (1903)
  • = Microtis javanica Rchb.f. (1857)
  • = Microtis benthamiana Rchb.f. (1871)
  • = Microtis aemula Schltr. (1906)
  • = Microtis bipulvinaris Nicholls (1949)
  • = Microtis holmesii Nicholls (1949)
 Description

Plant at fl. 10–30–(70) cm. tall. Stem erect, ± fleshy. Lf often overtopping raceme. Raceme of very ∞, us. crowded fls. Per. green to yellowish green. Dorsal sepal c.1.5–2mm. long, with short recurved tip; laterals shorter, subacute, deflexed. Petals ± under dorsal sepal. Labellum broad at base, narrowing towards obtuse tip which ends in a down-turned apiculus; margin entire (marginal cells occ. slightly enlarged), smooth; anterior callus us. present in N.Z., variable in size; basal calli prominent, sts appearing as 2 pairs, surrounding a small pouch which causes a bulge on the under side of labellum, so preventing it from lying flat against ovary. Column narrow below stigma; wings membr. throughout.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Oct.–Nov.–(Jan.)

 Bibliography
Brown, R. 1810: Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van-Diemen. Johnson, London.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]