Chiloglottis R.Br.

Terrestrial orchids growing in clonal colonies, usually with a low proportion of flowering plants. Leaves 2 (rarely 1), basal, petiolate, ground-hugging or suberect, spreading in opposite directions, margins often undulate, underside greyish or crystalline with darker veins. Inflorescence 1-flowered; peduncle fleshy, no sterile bracts. Flowers resupinate, horizontal or suberect to erect, dull-coloured. Dorsal sepal free, incurved over column, broader than lateral sepals, apex with short cylindrical osmophore. Lateral sepals joined at base, narrower than dorsal sepal, usually decurved (suberect in section Simpliglottis), parallel or divergent, apex with short to long cylindrical osmophores. Petals free, broader than lateral sepals, usually reflexed against ovary (sometimes upcurved or spreading), no osmophores. Labellum hinged by a short claw to underside of column foot, capable of limited movement (actively motile in section Simpliglottis). Labellum lamina unlobed, ovate or trapeziform. Callus variable, an insectiform aggregation of variously shaped and coloured calli and glandular hairs (non-insectiform columnar calli in section Simpliglottis). Column narrow or broad, winged, basal foot vestigial. Pollinia 4, flat, mealy, yellow, no viscidium.

These orchids grow in forest, woodland and heathland, often under bracken or among shrubs, tussocks and grasses, but also in open situations.