Taeniophyllum northlandicum (Orchidaceae) – reporting on a new population and the first confirmed indigenous host species

Jordan Stewart

Affiliation:
6 Dunrobbin Place, Gate Pa, Greerton, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand.
Corresponding author: xx

Received: 20 November 2025 | Accepted: 14 December 2025 | Published: xx
Associate Editor: Peter J. de Lange
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Abstract
A third population of the epiphytic Taeniophyllum northlandicum (Orchidaceae) is reported for Aotearoa / New Zealand from Te Tai Tokerau / Northland, near Ngunguru, on the Tutukaka Coast. This population is notable as the orchid occurs there on indigenous host plants whereas all past reported host occurrences of this species are from exotic shrubs and trees. The new population suggests that T. norfolkianum persists and reproduces within indigenous ecosystems. This population also demonstrates that the species appears to favour habitats of high humidity, much like the northern population which occurs within riparian conditions. This recent discovery expands the potential habitat types for this species and indicates that additional populations may be found in similar wetland ecosystems. Currently Taeniophyllum northlandicum is accepted as an endemic species to Aotearoa / New Zealand, though it was originally considered conspecific with the Norfolk Island endemic T. norfolkianum, the new discovery reported here adds to the body of evidence to support the view that T. northlandicum is a recent arrival to Aotearoa / New Zealand rather than endemic.

Cite as
Stewart, J. (in press). Taeniophyllum northlandicum (Orchidaceae) – reporting on a new population and the first confirmed indigenous host species. Perspectives in Biodiversity, 4