Simpliglottis valida
Simpliglottis valida from 20/11/97 at Iwitahi, near Rangitaiki on the Napier Taupo road. This rare, two leaved terrestrial was the trigger for establishing the Native Orchid Reserve in a stand of pines almost ready for harvesting. Over 30 other species of NZ orchids occur here. Note the background Pinus nigra needles where fungus thrives and sustains the orchids.
S. valida arrived, no doubt, as dust-like seed on the jet stream from Australia. The aphids and pine pollen are local additions on this clone B with clusters of 3 calli either side of the labellum where clone A has only singles. The earlier classification of Chiloglottis valida still persists for some but the Polish botanist Szlachetko in 2001 split off the Simpliglottis genus with sensitive labella which drop open, as depicted, under the stimulus of pollinators attempting to enter. No such pollinator exists in NZ so it spreads here only vegetatively or by hand pollination. This species has established two clones at Iwitahi and others at Hanmer Springs, Richmond Range Nelson and at Te Anau.
Simpliglottis valida
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