Maori potato, Maikuku
Thelymitra longifolia
Family: Orchidaceae
What it is like
An orchid. It can be 6-40 cm high. The leaves are narrow and grass like. The flowers can vary in colour from green, white, pink or mauve-blue. The tubers are white and shiny. They are 25 mm long. They are edible.
There are about 70 Thelymitra species mostly in Australia and the Pacific.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows throughout New Zealand. It occurs from sea level to fairly high altitudes. It grows in moist climates.
Countries/locations it is found in
New Zealand (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Root