Chiloglottis formicifera Fitzgerald

Common ant orchid (en)

Species

Angiosperms > Asparagales > Orchidaceae > Chiloglottis

Characteristics

"Stem rarely exceeding 9 cm. in height, relatively robust. Leaves sessile, stem-clasping, their margins often but not invariably much undulate-crisped. Dorsal sepal narrowly cuneate with a short point. Lateral sepals narrow-linear, spreading, sometimes recurved. Petals broad-linear, spreading or almost erect. Expanded lamina of the labellum almost rhomboid, but occasionally rounded in front, with a short point. Calli numerous, chiefly in two groups, one towards the claw and one on the anterior half extending to the apex; the posterior calli including several insectiform ones, one very large and double-headed, resembling an ant; the anterior calli small. Column-wings broader than [C. reflexa and C. trapeziformis], not as high as the anther. Fl. chiefly Sept."
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Leaves 30–60 × 15–25 mm, margins entire or wavy. Flower stem 60–100 mm long. Flower erect, 12–16 × 6–8 mm, greenish or reddish with blackish labellum callus. Dorsal sepal 10–12.5 × 3 mm; apical club c. 0.4 mm long. Lateral sepals 9–10 × 0.7 mm, widely divergent; apical clubs c. 0.5 mm long. Petals reflexed back against ovary, 8–10 × 2.5–3 mm. Labellum obliquely erect, trapezium-shaped, 7–10 × 6–7.5 mm. Callus extensive, consisting of a few large glands and numerous smaller glands, covering much of labellum surface. Column 8–9 × 3–3.5 mm, wings very narrow.
An orchid.
Life form perennial
Growth form herb
Growth support free-standing
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Sexuality hermaphrodite
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Environment

Widespread and common, extending from the coast to the ranges; growing with shrubs and bracken on sheltered slopes and gullies in humid forest in freely draining sand and clay loam.
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Hardiness (USDA) 8-12

Usage

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Edible roots tubers
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Cultivation

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Images

Chiloglottis formicifera unspecified picture

Distribution

Chiloglottis formicifera world distribution map, present in Australia and New Zealand

Identifiers

LSID urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:622801-1
WFO ID wfo-0000843766
COL ID 69SP7
BDTFX ID -
INPN ID -
Wikipedia (EN) Link
Wikipedia (FR)

Synonyms

Myrmechila formicifera Chiloglottis formicifera