Earina autumnalis

Earina autumnalis, (commonly known as Easter orchid, or in Māori, raupeka) is a species of orchid that is endemic to New Zealand (North and South Islands, plus Chatham Island).[1]

easter orchid
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Monocots
Order:
Asparagales
Family:
Orchidaceae
Genus:
Earina
Binomial name
Earina autumnalis
Synonyms[1]
  • Epidendrum autumnale G.Forst.
  • Cymbidium autumnale (G.Forst.) Sw.
  • Malaxis autumnalis (G.Forst.) Spreng.
  • Earina suaveolens Lindl.
  • Earina alba Colenso
Easter orchid on Karioi
Easter orchid (Earina autumnalis) at Kaitoke Regional Park

Its small white flowers produce a strong fragrance - a generally pleasant scent which is often compared to vanilla in nature. It generally occurs as an epiphyte or lithophyte - in the former situation it frequently grows in close association with other endemic orchid species such as Winika cunninghamii.

References
  1. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
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