Cryptostylis hunteriana (Leafless Tongue-orchid)
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Wallaroo Track, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Australia. possibly Cryptostylis hunteriana
Photograph by Poyt448 Peter Woodard. License: Public Domain. (view image details)
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PLANT FACTS |
Map is from The Atlas of Living Australia web site, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License
Common Name
Leafless Tongue-orchid
Other Names
Furred Tongue-orchid
Description
The Leafless Tongue-orchid as its name suggests is a leafless terrestrial orchid from eastern Australia. The plant usually produces five to ten flowers in summer from November to February. The flowers, which are held upright, have a large tongue-shaped labellum which is red and covered in dense hairs on the upper surface giving it a furry appearance. The other petals and sepals are green and narrow. This orchid can be distinguished from other tongue-orchids by its lack of leaves. The plant is often found in colonies.
Habitat
found in a variety of habitats including heathland, woodland, wooded wetland and rainforest
Distribution
Cryptostylis hunteriana is found in coastal areas of eastern New South Wales, eastern Victoria and south east Queensland
Growth Characteristics
Height: 10cm - 45cm
Classification
| Class: | Liliopsida | | Order: | Asparagales | | Family: | Orchidaceae | | Genus: | Cryptostylis | | Species: | hunteriana | | Common Name: | Leafless Tongue-orchid |
Relatives in same Genus
Cryptostylis erecta
Cryptostylis leptochila
Cryptostylis subulata
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