Cryptostylis leptochila

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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 - Australasian 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 River 1
also found in wet highland forest, dry forest and coastal heath 2

Flower Description:

Pale green and red-brown 1

Habit:

Terrestrial orchid 2

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 tip 1

Images:

Image: David Meagher

Links to more images:

Atlas of Living Australia MELU

Links to description of this species:

VicFlora

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