About Chiloglottis gunnii Lindl.
Chiloglottis gunnii Lindl. is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb. It has two leaves measuring 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 in) long and 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) wide. A single green to purplish brown flower, 20–24 mm (0.79–0.94 in) long and 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) wide, is borne on a flowering stem that stands 60–100 mm (2–4 in) high. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped to spatula-shaped with the narrower end toward the base, 20–24 mm (0.8–0.9 in) long and 7–11 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide. The lateral sepals are linear to lance-shaped, 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide, and taper toward their tips. All three sepals have a glandular tip 0.5–1.5 mm (0.02–0.06 in) long at their end. The petals are curved lance-shaped, 15–17 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long and 4.5–6 mm (0.18–0.24 in) wide, and spread widely apart from each other. The labellum is broadly egg-shaped to heart-shaped, 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide. It bears a line of pillar-like calli that are about 3 mm (0.1 in) high, with large swollen heads up to 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The column is 15–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide, curved, and has narrow wings. This species is commonly called the tall bird orchid. It is widespread but uncommon, and grows mostly in wet forest and coastal scrub.
