About Genoplesium despectans (Hook.f.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
Genoplesium despectans (Hook.f.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb that grows from an underground tuber. It produces a single thin leaf that is 150–250 mm (6–10 in) long, fused to the flowering stem, with a free section that measures 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long. Up to 45 dark purple or green-and-purple flowers are crowded along a flowering stem 20–40 mm (0.8–2 in) tall. The flowers lean downward, and are about 5.5 mm (0.2 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The flowers are inverted, meaning the labellum sits above the column rather than below it. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, about 3 mm (0.1 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The lateral sepals are linear to lance-shaped, about 4 mm (0.2 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) wide, and spread apart from each other. The petals are egg-shaped, about 2 mm (0.08 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) wide, with a pointed tip. The labellum is lance-shaped, thick and fleshy, about 3 mm (0.1 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) wide, with a sharp point and fine teeth along its edges. A narrow, lance-shaped callus sits in the centre of the labellum and extends almost to its tip. Flowering occurs between December and April. This species grows in heath and heathy forest. It is found south from Wollongong in New South Wales, is common and widespread in Victoria, and also occurs in south-eastern South Australia and Tasmania.
