Peter B. Heenan, Warrick Powrie, Huggard Tongatule
Recent field work in Niue has recognized the terrestrial orchids Calanthe amboinensis (Blume) M.W.Chase, Christenh. & Schuit. and Liparis barbata Lindl. and the epiphytic Aeridostachya robusta (Blume) Brieger as new indigenous records. Liparis L.C.Rich. and Aeridostachya (Hook.f.) Brieger are new genera for the flora of Niue, while Calanthe R.Br. is also represented by C. tankervilleae (Banks) M.W.Chase, Christenh. & Schuit. The addition of these three species brings the number of indigenous orchid species to 22. Information is provided on each species’ biostatus, recognition, collections, distribution, and habitats. Based on collections made in 2025 from Niue, L. barbata and A. robusta are known from a single site at Lefuka in central Niue, and C. amboinensis has been collected from Lefuka and Toa (2 km to the Northeast of Alofi). At these sites, the three species occur in primary tropical forest in shaded and moist sites where they are associated with a suite of terrestrial and epiphytic ferns. Regional conservation assessments for the species occurrences in Niue are provided using the IUCN criteria, with Aeridostachya robusta and Liparis barbata being listed as Critically Endangered and Calanthe amboinensis as Endangered.