Botanical name:

Waireia stenopetala (Lyperanthus antarcticus)

Common name(s):

Yellow beaks, beak orchid, horizontal orchid

About:

This beautiful alpine orchid is primarily found in the stunning Tararua Range and the wetter regions of the South Island, thriving at elevations ranging from 800 to 1200m. It typically features one to three slender leaves and produces a delicate stem that can bear up to four greenish flowers during the warm summer months.

Natural habitat:

Wet, peaty places at higher altitudes in the north, down to sea level in the south.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Shade, Wetland, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North, South, Stewart, Auckland and Campbell Islands. In the North Island known only from the eastern slopes of Mt Ruapehu and from the Tararua Range.

Height: 40cm

Flowering: 

November – March with a green to yellow coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

January - May

Uses:

Bee food & Alpine plantings.

How to grow:

Difficult. A plant for the alpine or orchid enthusiast. Propagation is generally by division or seed.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though