The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

This orchid was found at Tautuku Bay (Otago) under the Manuka scrub in bog areas. It has a notably hairy leaf (upper & undersides), single flower stem (past flowering when found - seed capsule at 20cm height). Approx 15cm x 1.5cm. I am not even sure which group of orchids to look at as all online id is done using the flower which I don't have. There were about 5 leaves in this area but I had not found any others over the last 5 months I have been surveying in here.
Any suggestions welcome. Many thanks!

Hi Catriona, I am thinking that you may have found Aporostylis bifolia. The leave is usually hairy, but can vary in shape and size greatly where I have seen them in the North. Its a guess without the flower, but have a look at the profile page and see what you think.
http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=1399
Cheers Matt

Hi Matt, many thanks. It does look like this could be it, certainly the best of the 'similar taxa'. None of the leaves I saw had spots and most were singles however the only one with a flower (seed) spike had 2 leaves like the ones shown on the page. It seems that it does occur at sea level here too. Would have liked to see it in flower!
Again, many thanks! Catriona

Hi Catriona. Many species that are usually alpine in the North island and the northern South Island can be found near sea level in the southeastern South island. Its likely a result of combination of latitude and climate (particularly frequent cloud cover, high moisture, and wind)

Hi Catriona - be cautious - the lack of leaf blotching and absence of paired leaves worries me slightly. Whilst this is most probably Aporostylis it could equally be a broad-leaved variant of Caladenia lyallii - which you sometimes get, especially in the southern South Island. If you I advise you go back an dlook during the flowering season - and see what you find.