Common Spider Orchid

Corybas trilobus , commonly known as the Spider Orchid or Three-lobed Helmet Orchid, is a highly variable terrestrial, tuberous orchid endemic to New Zealand Discover more about native trees. This deciduous perennial herb forms dense colonies through vegetative extension, thriving in diverse habitats across the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island/Rakiura. Typically growing 20-50 mm tall when flowering, the plant features a distinctly petiolate (stalked) leaf that is membranous, ranging from 10-30 mm in diameter. This leaf is often dark green to green, kidney-shaped (reniform) to orbicular, and usually wider than long. A distinct median apiculate lobe with a broadly cordate base is characteristic. The flower is usually positioned above the leaf, though sometimes beneath it. The single flower is borne on a peduncle with a small, slender floral bract. The erect ovary is typically creamy yellow to yellow-green and ribbed. The short, spathulate, obtuse, and concave dorsal sepal is rounded to cucullate at its broad tip, arching over the labellum. Its colour is usually green with purple flecks, though it can be translucent yellow-green with purple flecks, or entirely white, and notably does not extend past the labellum or fold backward. The long, thread-like (filiform) lateral sepals greatly exceed the labellum, often being crimson at the base and fading to pink or translucent white, or entirely white. The petals, similar in colour and shape to the lateral sepals, are generally much shorter. The labellum itself is highly variable in colour, ranging from deep crimson or maroon to reddish, translucent with purple or greenish flecks or stripes, or occasionally completely white. It is auriculate at the base, abruptly deflexed, broad, and rounded, with an entire, usually incurled margin except at the lower edge. Its inner surface is retrorsely papillose, often described as funnel or dish-shaped.