There are three native orchids on the Hawaiian islands, mostly found in higher areas in rain forests, and often in the trees.    They are rare and not easy to find.   There are many orchids featured in botanical gardens and show gardens from all over the world.    There are two orchids, though, that have become endemic/naturalized to the islands and we have seen then many times while hiking trails on Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island.

The bamboo orchid (Arundina bambusaefolia) is a terrestrial perennial growing from pseudo-bulbs.   It has bamboo-like foliage, growing to 1.5 to 2 m.   Successive single terminal flowers grow over a long season with white flowers with pink-purple lips.   It is pollinator dependent to produce seeds.   We have spotted these orchids in open, moist areas on Kauai, often near glades off the sides of trails.   It is also listed as Arundina gramiifolia.

The Philippine ground orchid (Spathoglottis plicata) is an evergreen terrestrial perennial, growing from pseudo-bulbs.   It produces many pink-purplish flowers in season.   We have seen this many times while out hiking.

Shared here is a Google Photos album of photos taken by the author while out hiking the trails of Kauai – Hawaiian Native Orchids (link).