Chiloglottis gunnii, commonly known as the tall bird orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to Tasmania. It has two broad leaves and a single green to purplish brown flower with a line of erect calli with swollen heads along the mid-line of the labellum. It is widespread but mainly in coastal districts and most commonly in moist to wet forest.
Chiloglottis gunnii is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with two leaves NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. A single green to purplish brown flower NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide is borne on a flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 high. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped to spatula-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The lateral sepals are linear to lance-shaped, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, about 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and taper towards their tips. There is a glandular tip NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long on the end of all three sepals. The petals are lance-shaped but curved, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide and spread widely apart from each other. The labellum is broadly egg-shaped to heart-shaped, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide with a line of pillar-like calli about 3sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 high with large swollen heads up to 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The column is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide and curved with narrow wings.[1] [2]
Chiloglottis gunnii was first formally described in 1840 by John Lindley and the description was published in his book The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants.[3] [4] The specific epithet (gunnii) honours Ronald Campbell Gunn, who collected the type specimen which was sent to William Jackson Hooker who forwarded it to Lindley.[5]
The tall bird orchid is widespread but uncommon, growing mostly in wet forest and coastal scrub.