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Genus Calochilus Family Orchidaceae

Description: Terrestrial herbs, sympodial; roots subterranean, filamentous; tuberoids paired.

Leaves absent or basal and 1 per shoot, convolute.

Inflorescence racemose, 1–many-flowered, terminal; flowers resupinate. Dorsal sepal free, broad and concave, often forming a loose, horizontal 'cap' over the column. Lateral sepals free, similar to, but usually narrower than dorsal sepal. Lateral petals free, shorter and narrower than sepals. Labellum free, attached at base of column; lamina not lobed, narrowing to an acute or elongated, crisped tip, in most species decorated with a dense 'beard' of fine, metallically lustrous, elongated calli often grading towards shorter, central calli, or rarely smooth, basally bearing continuous polished plates or knobby warts. Column lacking free filament and style, stubby; column wings fused to (and surrounding) column, forming a mitra; dorsal part of mitra greatly reduced, poorly pigmented, papillose and clasping the anther; the expanded, basal section in front of the stigma usually forms two rounded collars flanking the stigma, each usually ornamented with a dark, shiny gland ('sham eye'). Column foot absent. Anther erect, parallel to the axis of the column, persistent. Pollinia 2, soft and mealy. Stigma entire. Rostellum ventral.


Distribution and occurrence: World: 12 species, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, New Guinea. Australia: 11 species (8 species endemic), all States.

Text by P. Bernhardt
Taxon concept:

 Key to the species 
1Labellum naked; labellum apex short, acuteCalochilus robertsonii
Labellum ornamented; labellum apex elongated and usually crisped2
2Long labellum calli grade abruptly into long, raised, smooth plates with a metallic blue to brownish purple lustreCalochilus campestris
Long labellum calli grade gradually into progressively shorter calli and knobby warts
                       Back to 1
3
3Both column collars lack glandsCalochilus paludosus
Each column collar with 1 gland
                       Back to 2
4
4Lateral petals oblong or quadrate, or if rounded then semi-circular and as long as wide, not wider than long; with or without red stripes over a yellow-green or green base. Labellum hairs curved and straight, spreading and assurgent, rather untidy in appearance5
Lateral petals almost reniform, bearing intense red stripes over a nearly white base. Labellum hairs straight, spreading, and rather tidy in appearance
                       Back to 3
6
5Labellum slender with tail-like tip forming up to half the length of lamina; column collars interconnected by obscure rimCalochilus gracillimus
Labellum broad with tail-like tip forming up to a third the length of entire lamina; column collars interconnected by prominent purplish ridge
                       Back to 4
Calochilus robertsonii
6Leaf 3–5cm long, inflorescence 30–60 cm tall, flowers 35–45 mm longCalochilus grandiflorus
Leaf 10–18 cm long, inflorescence 20–30 cm tall, flowers 25–35 mm long
                       Back to 4
Calochilus pulchellus

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