$67m supermarket expansion blocked after discovery of endangered flower

The field of orchids is the largest ever discovery of the extremely rare species.

Woolworths has been blocked from expanding a Central Coast distribution centre after a field of critically-endangered orchids was found growing in a lawn planted on the site by the supermarket giant.

Around 500 Wyong sun orchids were found on the site at Warnervale, making it the largest population of the rare species ever discovered and representing 35 per cent of the total population.