Corybas sulcatus
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2023 | Data Deficient | Qualifiers: SO?
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Orchids
Similar taxa
Differs from most of the New Zealand C. trilobus complex by the dark red flower arising from below the leaf lamina, narrowly obovate-spathulate dorsal sepal, and smaller ovate-orbicular labellum with a denticulate apical margin. However, the relationship of C. sulcatus to similar plants on the Chatham, Antipodes, Campbell and Auckland Islands needs critical investigation as they share most of these characters.
Distribution
Endemic to Macquarie Island. However, plants from the Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku are scarcely any different. Plants on the Chatham Islands also approach it but seem much larger, and these plants are loosely linked to forms found in the South Island.
Habitat
Confined to the plateau uplands, growing in very wet grassy seepages amongst Festuca contracta , Agrostis magellanica, Luzula crinita, mosses and liverworts.
Threats
Not Threatened. Listed because it is endemic to Macquarie Island where it is sparsely distributed.
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Synonyms
Nematoceras sulcatum M.A.Clem. et D.L.Jones
Taxonomic notes
Segregate genera that were split from Corybas R.Br. by Jones et al. (2002) were not universally accepted and further research has been carried out into the genus. On advice from Australian Orchidologists Peter Weston and Stephen Hopper (pers. comm., July 2011, November 2014), NZPCN has returned all of the segregate genera recognised for New Zealand by Jones et al. (2002) to Corybas (see also Lyon 2014).
Lehnebach (2016) made three combinations for those Nematoceras lacking valid names in Corybas. This action enabled the full transfer of Nematoceras back to Corybas. However, as of writing, a formal publication rejecting the segregation of Corybas by Jones et al. (2002) has yet to be published. Lehnebach cites an unpublished PhD (Lyon 2014) that indicates this move is imminent.
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
November–December
Fruiting
Unknown
Propagation technique
Difficult—should not be removed from the wild. Its only known habitat is a Nature Reserve and World Heritage Site. Macquarie Island is part of Geopolitical Australia.
Other information
Etymology
corybas: Helmet flower
Manaaki Whenua Online Interactive Key
Previous conservation statuses
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | Data Deficient | Qualifiers: SO?
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: OL, RR
2004 | Range Restricted
Regional conservation statuses
Otago: 2025 | Regionally Data Deficient
The regional threat classification system leverages off the national assessments in the NZTCS, providing information relevant for the regional context. Otago conservation status information is sourced from the “Conservation Status of Indigenous Vascular Plants in Otago, 2025” Jarvie S et al. (2025) report.
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Backhouse GN. 2010. New combinations in the terrestrial orchid genera Caladenia R. Br., Corybas Salisb. and Pterostylis R. Br. (Orchidaceae) for South-eastern Australia. Victorian Naturalist 127(2): 55–57.
Clements MA, Jones DL. 2007. A new species of Nematoceras and characterisation of N. dienemum (Orchidaceae), both from subantarctic Macquarie Island. Telopea 11(4): 406–408.
Jones DL, Clements MA, Sharma IK, Mackenzie AM, Molloy BPJ. 2002. Nomenclatural notes arising from studies into the Tribe Diurideae (Orchidaceae). The Orchadian 13: 437–468.
Lehnebach C. 2016. New combinations and a replacement name for three New Zealand spider orchids (Corybas). The New Zealand Native Orchid Journal 139. 4–5.
Lyon SP. 2014. Molecular systematics, biogeography, and mycorrhizal associations in the Acianthinae (Orchidaceae), with a focus on the genus Corybas. PhD Thesis, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. https://asset.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/UAXO3VHO6P7EH8Y/R/file-19145.pdf.
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (31 August 2006).
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Corybas sulcatus Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/corybas-sulcatus/ (Date website was queried)