Chiloglottis trilabra, commonly known as the long-clubbed wasp orchid,[2] is a species of orchidendemic to south-eastern Australia. It has two dark green leaves and a single greenish brown or pinkish flower with a dark red to black, ant-like callus covering most of the upper surface of the labellum. It is similar to both C. seminuda and C. reflexa.
Description
Chiloglottis trilabra is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with two dark green, oblong to egg-shaped leaves 20–50 mm (0.8–2 in) long and 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide. A single greenish brown or pinkish flower 25–32 mm (0.98–1.3 in) long and 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide is borne on a flowering stem 50–100 mm (2–4 in) high. The dorsalsepal is spatula-shaped, 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The lateral sepals are linear, 15–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long, less than 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and curve downwards. There is a glandular tip 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long on the dorsal sepal, dark red and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long on the lateral sepals. The petals are oblong to lance-shaped, 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) long, about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide and turned downwards towards the ovary. The labellum is more or less horizontal, diamond-shaped, 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) long and 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide with a black, ant-like callus surrounded by many stalked and stalkless glands occupying most of its upper surface. The column has narrow wings. Flowering occurs from December to March.[2][3][4]
This wasp orchid is similar to C. seminuda which has a callus covering only about two-thirds of the labellum. It is also similar to C. reflexa but has longer lateral sepals and a smaller "head" on the ant-like callus.[4][5]
The long-clubbed wasp orchid is widespread in moist parts of forest, mainly on the ranges in New South Wales. In Victoria it is only known from a few areas in the east, but may be more widespread because it has been confused with C. seminuda and C. reflexa.[2][3][4]
^ abcJones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 141. ISBN1877069124.