Chiloglottis trapeziformis

Dainty or Broad-lip Bird-orchid

Perennial herb with a slender greenish-brown stem, growing from a small round tuber. Forms large colonies.

FamilyOrchidaceae
StoreyLower storey
Size7-14 cm high
Plant groupingOrchids
Leaves2 dark green oblong to elliptic leaves with wavy margins 25-80 mm x 7-25 mm, at ground level.
Flower colourGreenish-brown to purple
Flowering timeSeptember to November
FlowersSingle flower to 20 mm wide; egg-shaped central sepal erect, incurved; lateral sepals narrow, curved down; narrow petals pressed down to stem. Erect long-clawed trapezium-shaped lip, central clump of blackish warts, 2 larger warts at either end.
Bird attractingNo
Butterfly attractingNo
Frog habitatNo
Growing conditionsWell drained soil in dryish open forests. Semi shade.
Garden useUse of orchids in gardens is not recommended, unless they already occur naturally, in which case they need to be protected. Removing orchids from the bush usually results in their death and further depletes remaining wild orchid populations.
Commercially availableNever
Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from a single site. Disjunct populations occur throughout Victoria.
Aboriginal Use Food - tuber