On the asymbiotic germination of some New Zealand spider orchids (Corybas).

Corybas macranthus germinated on four of seven asymbiotic media tested, while other New Zealand Corybas species showed only limited germination under the same conditions.

• Why it matters: Germination in Corybas orchids is poorly understood, and filled seeds failing to germinate under optimal asymbiotic conditions suggests dormancy that needs testing.
• What they did: Five species (C. cheesemanii, C. dienemus, C. iridescens, C. macranthus, C. oblongus) were sown on multiple asymbiotic media; dormancy-breaking trials used desiccation and warm moist stratification.
• The result: Germination was limited for other species, including C. cheesemanii where germination occurred for only two of five concurrently collected capsules, and desiccation plus warm moist stratification did not break dormancy.

AI summary of the abstract · may contain errors · not medical advice · read the paper.