Gastrodia sesamoides Potato orchid (Orchidaceae)

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Gastrodia sesamoides
Potato orchid
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The Gastrodia sesamoides plant species is found in Australia, New Zealand. It is a member of the Orchidaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Potato orchid.

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Latin Name:  Gastrodia sesamoides
Common Name:  Potato orchid
Family:  Orchidaceae
Author:  R.Br.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:     Mature Width:

Habitat:  Open forest and scrub from the coast to the sub-alpine zone, mainly north of latitude 42°s, in the North and South Islands of New Zealand[44].

Cultivation Notes: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. A saprophytic herb, it is without green parts and is entirely dependant upon a fungus for its nutriment[144, 238]. This makes it very difficult to cultivate outside its native range. As well as its fungal host, it also requires a damp humus-rich soil in a sheltered woodland position[238]. Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Their symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid[230].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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