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This article was published in Tararua Tramper May 2025 pp.6-7
May in the hills with Michele Dickson and Chris Horne
Dendrobium cunninghamii, sometimes known as Winika cunninghamii, Christmas orchid, pekapeka, winikā, lady's slipper orchid.
Origin of the botanical name - Dendrobium is derived from the Greek words 'dendron' meaning 'tree' and 'bios' meaning 'life', referring to its growing on trees as an epiphyte, or perching plant; cunninghamii honours Allan Cunningham (1791-1839), an English botanist stationed in Australia, who visited New Zealand and collected plants. Dendrobium and Winika genera are in the Orchidaceae family. Distribution - Pekapeka is native to New Zealand. It occurs on Te Ika a Māui / North Island, Te Waipounamu / South Island, Rakiura / Stewart Island and Rekohu / Chatham Island. Look for it perching on well-lit tree trunks and branches in coastal to montane forests – also on rocks, logs and even on urban brick or concrete walls.
Growth habit and reproduction - Pekapeka grows up to 2 m long and 1.5 m wide but often much less. The stems are cane-like, long, thin and brittle, tending to be locally thickened towards the base which may be up to 7 mm diameter in large plants. The side branches are numerous. They come off at a wide angle and are more or less drooping. The bare parts are mostly ca. 2 mm diameter, bright yellow and polished. The leaves are ca. 3-5 cm X 3 mm, narrow and dark at the joint with the sheath. The infloresences have 1-6 flowers that are 2- 3 cm in diameter on short lateral stems. Most of the petal-like parts of the flower are white, but the labellum, which is much wider, usually has coloured sections near its lip. These colours can be green, yellow, rose-pink to purple. In orchids, both male and female parts (stamens and pistil) are fused into a single organ known as the column, which in pekapeka may also be partly coloured purple. The capsules/pods are initially green,becoming greyish-white, sometimes striped with purple. Pekapeka flowers from December to February and sometimes as late as April or even June.
Uses - We have been unable to find any uses for Christmas orchid/pekapeka/winika.
Where to find Dendrobium cunninghamii? - Look for it in reserves and regional parks in the Wellington area, the Tararua, Remutaka and Aorangi ranges, and wherever you tramp in native bush.
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