Native Orchids in Marlborough

Orchids are a large family of flowering plants with over 160 species native to New Zealand. Different orchid species can be found throughout Marlborough, from the coast to alpine areas. Orchids can take on a variety of forms with many native species having green flowers, while others are more showy. In Marlborough sun orchids and greenhoods are particularly common, however most types of native orchids are present in parts of Marlborough. Greenhoods tend to be be found mostly north of the Wairau, from the Richmond Range to the Marlborough Sounds, including on numerous islands, although a few have been recorded in areas of native bush in the Raglan Range. South of the Wairau, sun orchids, onion orchids, and leek orchids are the main varieties, although all of these can also be found in north Marlborough. Sun orchids and maikaika are reasonably common within a confined Queen Elizabeth II Convenant area on the Wither Hills to the south of Blenheim.