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]

Earina autumnalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Earina
Species:
E. autumnalis
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

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
Easter orchid (Earina autumnalis) at Kaitoke Regional Park
Easter orchid on Karioi
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