Chiloglottis valida
Common Bird-orchid
Perennial herb with a fleshy green-brown stem, growing from a small round tuber. Forms large colonies.
Additional information
- SynonymChiloglottis gunnii; Simpliglottis valida
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size4-10 cm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- Leaves2 dark green egg-shaped leaves 20-50 mm x 10-25 mm, at ground level.
- Flower colourReddish-brown to purplish-green
- Flowering timeSeptember to January
- FlowersSingle flower to 40 mm across; central sepal erect, incurved, lateral sepals tapering; petals erect, incurved, all similar size. Lip on short claw, 1-3 pairs dark red to black warty calli in centre.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsCool, moist, tall forests or shaded drier open forests.
- Garden useUse of orchids in gardens is not recommended, unless they already occur naturally, in which case they need to be protected. Removing orchids from the bush usually results in their death and further depletes remaining wild orchid populations.
- Commercially availableRarely
- Conservation statusWidespread within the Shire
- Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 Marilyn Bull ©; 2 Yarra Ranges Council photo library; 3 James Booth, NatureShare ©; 4 Barry Sheffield ©
Plant Communities