Describing the New Zealand orchid flora
Te Papa researchers: Carlos Lehnebach and Lara Shepherd
For decades, about 20 Aotearoa orchids have only been known by tag names (nicknames) and have not yet been officially recognised as species. Nonetheless, they have already joined the list of Aotearoa New Zealand’s threatened plants.
Using historical specimens from the Te Papa collection, and modern samples, this research aims to determine the taxonomic status of orchids in the genera Corybas (spider orchids), Pterostylis (greenhood orchids), Prasophyllum (leek orchids), Spiranthes (lady’s tresses orchid) and Thelymitra (sun orchids).
Spider orchid (Corybas sp.). Photo by Carlos Lehnebach. Te Papa
Herbarium specimen of leek orchid (Prasophyllum sp.). Photo by Nathaniel Walker-Hale. Te Papa
Sun orchid (Thelymitra sp.). Photo by Carlos Lehnebach. Te Papa
Main collaborators: Jennifer Tate, Massey University; Hayden Jones, Massey University
Funding: Australia & Pacific Science Foundation; NZ Native Orchid Group
Representative publications
Lehnebach, C. A., Alderton-Moss, J., & Shepherd, L. D. (2025). A new species of Prasophyllum (Orchidaceae) for New Zealand and lectotypification of P. colensoi. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 1–23.
Lehnebach, C. A., & Jones, H. R. (2024). Taxonomic notes on New Zealand orchids I: typification of nine orchid names described by William Colenso in 1886. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 1–24.
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