Chiloglottis R.Br.

Bird Orchids

Greek cheilos – lip; glottis – mouth of windpipe; the labellum and callus resemble the entrance to the human windpipe.

Terrestrial herbs, sympodial, deciduous, stoloniferous. Tubers spherical, paired at base of leaf, also produced singly at ends of stolons. Leaves basal, paired, opposite, oblong to ovate, entire, thin, green, stalked. Inflorescences terminal, erect. Flowers resupinate, solitary, small, green to purplish. Sepals dissimilar, free, dorsal broader than laterals. Petals narrower than dorsal sepal, free. Labellum entire, almost round to triangular or diamond-shaped, adorned with few to many stalkless and/or stalked calli. Column slender, arching, wings small or large. Pollinia 4, soft and mealy.

These native terrestrial orchids are occasionally grown in pots by enthusiasts.They are hardy and grow well and multiply in a light well-drained compost that is normally changed annually.

About 18 species from Australia and New Zealand.

Small green or purplish insect-like flowers; paired leaves at base of flower stalk.

Backhouse & Jeanes (1995).

Source: Jeanes, J. (2005). Orchidaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

Hero image
kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Magnoliopsida
superorder     Lilianae
order      Asparagales
family       Orchidaceae
Higher taxa
Subordinate taxa
species         Chiloglottis formicifera Fitzg.
species         Chiloglottis valida D.L.