Cryptostylis leptochila

Common name: 

Small Tongue Orchid

Family: 

Orchidaceae

Distribution (from Flora of Victoria):

Midlands, Eastern Highlands, Gippsland Plain, Gippsland Highlands, Wilsons Promontory, Snowfields, East Gippsland (MNPSTWZ) also Qld, NSW, Tas

Map - Australia's Virtual Herbarium

Distribution and ecological preference at Wilsons Promontory (if known):

Grows in scattered colonies in dry, rocky habitats in semi-shade. Found in the Vereker Range and Tidal River1
also found in wet highland forest, dry forest and coastal heath2

Flower description:

Pale green and red-brown1

Habit:

Terrestrial orchid2

Distinguishing characteristics (within family/genus):

This species has thick green to red-green stem, with 1-2 leaves that are dark green above and purple below. There are 8-15 flowers found near the stem tip1

Images:
Image of Cryptostylis leptochila
Image of Cryptostylis leptochila Image: David Meagher
Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia

Links to description of this species:

RBG

Conservation status:

Not threatened

References:

1 Meagher, D. and Kohout, M. (2001). “A field guide to Wilsons Promontory”. Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Vic.
2 Walsh, N. G. and Entwisle, T. J. “Flora of Victoria”, volumes 2 (1994), 3 (1996) and 4 (1999). Inkata Press, Port Melbourne, Victoria