Orchids
While the rest of the botanical world is slowing down for winter there are some which are “going for it” right now.
Keep an eye out whereever there has been a burn-off or cutover of forest or scrub, for the little Green Hooded Orchids. Some have a grassy-like leaf or a single flat heart-shaped leaf.They are often seen along the edges of tracks in small groups.The plants are only about 100-200mm tall with a hooded green and red or purple stiped flower. Some have two “antennae-like” spikes sticking up-one either side of the hood. Some are multipleflowers on a stem or just a single “bloom”.
There are over 100 different sorts of orchids in New Zealand, many of which are extremely rare and some yet to be named. April to July is the time for the Winter flowering ones.

Fungi
Now is also the time for the fungi world to do their thing and a short walk through even your orchards will produce several varieties.With the moist autumn-winter weather beautiful specimens of every conceivable shape, size and colour can be seen. The bush ones are particularly spectacular right now, especially those growing from rotting logs.
World-wide there are perhaps 200,000-300,000 species of fungi.In NZ approximately
6000 species have been catalogued, but there could be 3000 to 15,000 still to be recorded!.
It is quite likely that the fungus that you inadvertently stumble over in the forest is a new species never before seen or studied by a mycologist.
Many are edible, but be extremely cautious about those other than the traditional field mushrooms, that you might be tempted to try. Some are very tasty; some are deadly and a teaspoon full of one is enough to kill you. Having said that there are some very inexpensive, colourful and informative books available on mushrooms and fungi of New Zealand. Check them out—this part of our natural world is really facinating.  I have started a photo collection of our local ones for identification and general interest. So if you have any around your place and you think they might be unusual, send me a photo with a location description, or if I can, I could pop in and record them.
Cheers for now
Wayne.