Chiloglottis

Wasp orchids
Chiloglottis reflexa
the short-clubbed wasp orchid
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Subtribe: Drakaeinae
Genus: Chiloglottis
R.Br., 1810
Type species
Chiloglottis diphylla
Synonyms[1]
  • Simpliglottis Szlach.
  • × Chilosimpliglottis Jeanes
  • Myrmechila D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.

Chiloglottis, commonly known as wasp orchids, ant orchids or bird orchids,[2] is a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants in the orchid family, Orchidaceae and is found in eastern Australia and New Zealand. Wasp orchids are terrestrial herbs which grow in colonies of genetically identical plants. They usually have two leaves at the base of the plant and a single resupinate ("upside-down") flower. The labellum is more or less diamond-shaped and has calli resembling the body of a wingless female wasp.[2][3]

Labelled image of Chiloglottis formicifera
  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference karen was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 138. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. ^ Jones, David L. (1998). "Contributions to Tasmanian Orchidology". Australian Orchid Research. 3: 62.