About Cryptostylis leptochila F.Muell. ex Benth.
Cryptostylis leptochila, commonly known as the small tongue orchid, is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb. It produces one to several broad egg-shaped to broad lance-shaped leaves, each 18–120 mm long and 25–40 mm wide, borne on a petiole 10–60 mm long. The upper surface of the leaves is green, while the lower surface is reddish purple. Between five and fifteen flowers, each 15–20 mm long and 4–5 mm wide, grow on a flowering stem that stands 200–400 mm tall. The sepals and petals are linear, greenish or yellowish, and spread stiffly apart from one another. Sepals measure 13–23 mm long, while petals are 6–15 mm long. The labellum is dark red and linear to oblong, forming a cup shape around the column, with edges rolled under and an end that bends suddenly downwards. It is 16–20 mm long and about 5 mm wide, with a raised black central line and irregular lines of raised black calli on either side of this line. The surface of the labellum is densely covered in glandular hairs. Flowering takes place from November to May. Flowers of this species are pollinated by male Lissopimpla excelsa wasps when the wasps attempt to mate with them. This orchid grows in forest, typically in high rainfall areas. It occurs in south-eastern Queensland, on the coast and ranges of New South Wales, in southeastern Victoria, and on Flinders Island.
