There are 3,926 listed species of New Caledonian flora, of which 75% are endemic. The orchid family (Orchidaceae) is generally considered by most botanists to be the largest family of plant flowers. Botanists of all origins who come to the territory to study its flora, find them to be of great scientific interest. In fact, New Caledonia’s geographical situation, near the tropic of Capricorn, gives it a temperate climate which is ideally suited to the culture of various types and species of orchids.
At the Universal Exhibition which took place in Osaka from 1st April to 30 September 1990, which 23 million people attended, Destination New-Caledonia (ex NCT Point South) had two stands, one of which was decorated in wild orchids which more than 5 million visitors came to : 1 out of 5 Japanese who attended the show visited it. This stand also received 7 prizes for its quality, decided on by an international jury during the « International Garden and Greenery Exposition » .
Spathoglottis Unguiculata (Gold medal)
This is a land species. Its flowers are pink or dark purple and open one by one (2 to 3cm diameter). It has been found in the north-east of the mainland, on the Loyalty Islands and on the Isle of Pines. It grows in the prairies or savannahs, often amongst ferns.
Spathoglottis Vieillardii (Bronze medal)
This is a land plant which sometimes grows on rotten tree trunks. It can reach 1 metre in height, with very long leaves ressembling those of young coconut palms. The bunches of white, pink or purple flowers bloom for several months (2 to 3cm in diameter).
It can be found all over the territory and on the Isle of Pines. It grows along embankments and in the niaouli savannah. It is widespread in the Pacific.
Phaius Tankervilleae (Silver medal)
A robust land plant which can grow higher than 1.60 m, with big pseudo-bulbs at the base from which grow 3 to 6 leaves in a lance shape. The inflorescence carries 3 to 30 large flowers which can be up to 13 cm in diameter and bloom one by one. These are flowers with a white exterior and a red brown or pink interior.This plant is very widely spread in the Pacific and in Asia.
Calanthe Langei (Bronze medal)
A land plant of between 30 cm and 1 m in height. The leaves are relatively straight (3.5 to 9 cm) green yellow in colour.
This is an inflorescence with many yellow or orange flowers, gathered together on a spike. It is found all over the Territory, in Vanuatu, New Guinea and Fiji.
Dendrobium Gracilicaule (Bronze medal)
Its stems can reach 15 to 70 cm with 3 to 8 terminal flowers. During inflorescence, there are 10 to 40 yellow, cream, white or ivory flowers. It is found from the north to the south of the Territory but not in the islands. They are often found on rocks and the stems are then much shorter.
Megastylis Giga (Bronze medal)
A robust land plant which can reach 1.50 m in the best conditions. It has 4 to 10 long grooved leaves. It can form large clusters. The inflorescence carries 10 to 30 flowers in a helmet shape, white in colour with the labelle being purple pink (4 to 6 cm in diameter).
It is widespread all over the territory from 100 to 1 400 m in altitude. It grows especially in the sun, in mineral land scrub. It is a very « hardy » species.
Megastylis Glandulosa
A land plant which can reach 1 m. The flowers are green and carried on a loose spike. 4 to 5 cm in diameter. It can form clusters.
It is very widespread all over the territory in the tropical forest, clear forest or niaouli savannah.
Bibliography
| Orchidées indigènes de Nouvelle-Calédonie | Société Néo-Calédonienne d’Orchidophilie |
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