Chiloglotis gunnii (Tall bird orchid)
There are three Tasmanian Bird Orchids (Chiloglotis genus) that are superficially similar – gunnii, triceratops and gramata. They can be distinguished by looking at the bumps (calli) on the labellum. Gunnii – the large bird orchid- has one large callus with an anvil-shaped top as well as 3 – 7 smaller callii arranged in a more-or-less line down the labellum.
Gunnii seems to flower a bit later than triceratops and is usually significantly taller, though not always – 5 – 7 cm or even taller. It flowers later at higher altitudes but seems at its best around the lower Mt Wellington/Kunanyi foothills in November/early December.
The Tall bird prefers some shade and while it grows in dryer sites as well as damp wet sclerophyll and myrtle Forrest, it seems to do well on S-facing hillsides with some shelter under vegetation.
The obvious green eliptical leaves 40 – 60 mm are easily spotted but some searching may be needed to find a flower.
The specimens below were seen at S Hobart/Waterworks area on 14 Dec 2021 but many had flowered a bit earlier and many are now almost finished.
