About Earina mucronata Lindl.
Earina mucronata Lindl. is an orchid species that is endemic to New Zealand. Its specific epithet means "pointed", and refers to the shape of the tips of this orchid's very narrow leaves.
The leaves are arranged alternately in one plane along a flattened, unbranched pseudobulb. This pseudobulb can grow up to 1 m in length, but is generally shorter. Like most monocotyledons, the base of each leaf is extended into a leaf sheath that completely encircles the stem. In this species, these sheaths are greatly elongated, and extend the full length of the internode. The sheaths are 2 or 3 mm wide, and unlike the sheaths of Earina autumnalis, they are difficult to pull off.
Another key distinguishing feature of this species is the tiny, ubiquitous black spots that cover both the leaf sheaths and many of the leaves themselves. These spots are notably absent in E. autumnalis. This species flowers during spring and early summer, with peak flowering occurring between October and December. The flowers grow in large numbers on a branched raceme. The sepals, petals and column are usually white or cream, and the labellum is usually yellow, though white, apricot and orange coloured forms are sometimes found.
Earina mucronata is generally epiphytic, but occasionally grows as a lithophyte. Its distribution extends across the three main islands of New Zealand, including Stewart Island / Rakiura, and stretches eastwards to the Chatham Islands.
