- Earina mucronata
Taxobox
name = "Earina mucronata"
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo =Asparagales
familia =Orchidaceae
subfamilia =Epidendroideae
tribus =Epidendreae
subtribus =Glomerinae
genus = "Earina "
genus_authority = Lindl., 1834
binomial = "Earina mucronata""Earina mucronata" is one of 3 orchid species of 10 in the genus which are endemic to
New Zealand . The specific epithet means "pointed" and refers to the shape of the tips of this orchid's very narrow leaves. The leaves are arrangedalternately in one plane along a flattened, unbranchedpseudobulb which can grow up to 1 m in length but which is generally shorter. As in mostMonocotyledon s the base of each leaf is extended into aleaf sheath which completely encircles the stem, in this species they are greatly elongated and extend the full length of theinternode . The sheaths are 2 or 3 mm wide and in contrast to those of "Earina autumnalis " they are difficult to pull off. Another key distinguishing feature of this species are the tiny, ubiquitous black spots which cover the leaf sheaths as well as many of the leaves themselves - these are notably absent in "autumnalis".This species flowers during spring and early summer; the peak months are from October to December. The flowers are produced en-masse on a branched
raceme . Thesepal s,petal s andcolumn are usually white or cream, and thelabellum is usually yellow, though white, apricot and orange coloured forms are sometimes encountered.This species is generally
epiphytic but occasionally grows as alithophyte . Its distribution extends across the 3 main islands of New Zealand (the third beingStewart Island/Rakiura ) and eastwards to theChatham Islands .References
* "Native orchids of New Zealand", John Johns and Brian Molloy, Reed, 1983
* "Flora of New Zealand, volume 1", H. H. Allan, Government printer, 1961
* "Biology of plants (7th edition)", Raven, Evert and Eichhorn, Freeman, 2005External links
* [http://www.nativeorchids.co.nz/Popups/E_mucronata2.htm Picture and description]
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