perei
1. (noun) black orchid, Gastrodia cunninghamii - an endemic plant of North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands. Uncommon north of the Waikato. Usually montane and mostly in beech dominated forests or montane pine forest plantations. Sometimes found at lower altitudes in dark hollows within forest, especially in naturally cold sites. Brown or white flowers October-March, fruiting in December-May.
2. (noun) horned orchid, Orthoceras novae-zeelandiae - endemic orchid with a tuberous edible root found in the North and South Islands in coastal to lower montane areas. In the South Island mainly westerly and recorded as far south as Hokitika. Usually in very sunny sites on open, free draining soils or clay banks with little associated taller vegetation. Often found in urban areas on mostly bare roadside cuttings. Flowers green, red or pink in July-March, fruiting in November-May.
He rahi ngā kai ka kohia i te ngahere, ngā hua o te hīnau, te tawa me te miro; te pūhā, te uho o te nīkau; te aka perei me te tāwhara (Te Ara 2011). / Numerous foods were gathered from the forest, including fruits and berries from hīnau, tawa and miro; sowthistle; the hearts of nīkau palms; the roots of perei (potato orchids), and the bracts of kiekie.
See also hūperei
