Flora of New Zealand Series

Nematoceras macrantha Hook. f. Fl. N.Z.  1,  1853,  250, t. 57A.

Corysanthes macrantha (Hook. f.) Hook. f. Handbk N.Z.  Fl.  1864,  266.

Original localities: "Northern and Middle Islands; wet woods, bogs, etc. East Coast, Colenso. Port William, Lyall". Type: K(?).

Plant at fl. c. 4–10 cm. tall. Green lf distinctly petiolate, petiole often longer than lamina; lamina to 3.5 × 3.5 cm., often smaller, orbicular to oblong-oval, apiculate, rounded at base, firm and fleshy in texture, silvery abaxially. Floral bract < ovary, narrow. Dorsal sepal mostly shorter than labellum, narrow-lanceolate, acute to shortly acuminate, arching over tubular part of labellum; lateral sepals long, filiform, greatly exceeding labellum. Petals similar to lateral sepals but us. much shorter. Labellum auriculate at base, lamina abruptly deflexed, broadly expanded all round, margin minutely denticulate with a median apiculus, inner surface rough with short, sharp, retrorse papillae.

DIST.: N., S., St., Ch., A., C.

Endemic.

Forest floor and damp banks.

FL. 10–12–(1).

Corysanthes papillosa Col. in T.N.Z.I. 16, 1884, 337. Original localities: "In various parts of Hawke's Bay, among mosses in ravines, shaded woods in the interior, 1850–1880: W.C. Glenross, near Napier, 1883: Mr D. P. Balfour." Type: Not found at AK or in Herb. Colenso at WELT. Said to be "closely allied to C. macrantha, Hook. fil., but very distinct". The differences are not clear from the description.