Kingdom Plantae Subfamily Epidendroideae Subtribe Dendrobiinae Scientific name Winika cunninghamii Order Asparagales | Family Orchidaceae Tribe Dendrobieae Species W. cunninghamii Rank Genus | |
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Similar Earina, Earina autumnalis, Drymoanthus, Earina mucronata, Nematoceras | ||
Winika
Winika is a monotypic genus of epiphytic orchids that is endemic to New Zealand. Its sole species is Winika cunninghamii.
Contents
- Winika
- Winika with piano background by mark goliath
- History of taxonomy
- In contemporary New Zealand culture
- References
It is commonly found growing in rainforest in the North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. It normally flowers in summer and early autumn. Its common names are winika, pekapeka, christmas orchid, bamboo orchid (owing to the bamboo / reed-like stems).
Winika with piano background by mark goliath
History of taxonomy
Winika cunninghamii was first discovered and catalogued by Solander as Epidendrum pendulum. Subsequently it was recatalogued as Dendrobium cunninghamii and stayed that way until M. A. Clements removed it to form Winika cunninghamii.
In contemporary New Zealand culture
In 1990, New Zealand Post released a New Zealand native orchid miniature sheet to support of the New Zealand 1990 World Stamp Exhibition held in Auckland. Winika was one of the stamps (40c) on the miniature sheet. The others were the sun orchid (Thelymitra pulchella), spider orchid (Corybas macranthus), greenhood orchid (Pterostylis banksii) and odd leaved orchid (Aporostylis bifolia).