Fernery and Display Houses

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This Month at the Fernery and Display Houses

Menatoceras iridescens

When we think of orchids we instantly think of the big exotic flowers of our collection on display in the Tropical house but this month nestled in the moss bank of House 1is one of our small native terrestrial orchids. As you enter house 1 and proceed to the tunnel to go to House 2 look to the left up on the moss covered bank and you will see a colony of these wonderful little orchids.

Family: Orchidaceae
Genus: Menatocerus syn Corybas
Species: iridescens
Common name:  Big Red Spider Orchid
Country of origin: New Zealand prominent in Taranaki

Horticultural use: Not often seen in cultivation. It grows in wet areas and can often be found in running water and flowers from August to October. It is dormant from late summer to late winter when the leaf emerges from the ground as a tight cone, which widens to reveal the immature flower. As the flower matures, the leaf flattens and the flower opens up to reveal the spider like flower.

Recent comments from our visitor's book

Anne, Scituate, MA, USA "The best rain detour ever. Stayed dry and was awed by the displays. Absolutely beautiful".

Silja & Andrew "Beautiful and free of charge. Great offer. Thanks".

Lee , Wales "Simply lovely, Full of niceness".

Related links

• History of the Fernery
• Fernery and Display House Layout 
• Finding the Fernery
• Fernery displays and collections
• The people behind the plants
• Pukekura Park

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