Exotic flower of mystery

Photo / Dean Purcell

Visitors flocked to Auckland Museum at the weekend to observe the world's most mysterious flower, known as "nature's trickster".

Wonderland: Mystery of the Orchid is the first in a two-part series in which the museum explores the story of "the world's best loved flowers" - the orchid and the rose.

The exhibit is divided into two parts. The first features the cultural influence of the orchid - its inspiration to writers and the cases of "orchid hunters", collectors who risk life and limb to track new species to every corner of the Earth.

The second part of the exhibit explores the scientific aspects of the flower, such as its curious power over insects.

The exhibition is open until October 12.