Chiloglottis trapeziformis

Fitzg.

Dainty bird orchid, Broad-lipped Bird Orchid

Orchidaceae Edible: Tuber, Root 452 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Chiloglottis trapeziformis, commonly known as broad-lip bird orchid, diamond ant orchid or dainty bird-orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has two narrow leaves and a narrow, greenish to purplish or brownish flower with a short, shiny black, ant-like callus covering the lower quarter of the diamond-shaped labellum. It has been recorded as a vagrant in New Zealand.

Description

A small orchid. It keeps growing from year to year but dies back in winter. It grows 8-12 cm high. There is one pair of leaves near the base. The leaves are oval to sword shaped. They are 5-8 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide. There is a single flower on the end of the stem. The flowers are brownish green.

Edible Uses

The tubers and roots are edible.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows on coastal scrub on soils rich in humus. It also grow in shady damp forest. It does best in rich, moist, well-drained soils in a protected shady position.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Tasmania*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by dividing the clump.

Production

It is easy to grow and multiplies easily.

Notes

There are about 8-30 Chiloglottis species in New Zealand and Australia.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Root	91	78	19	0.9	—	—	2.7	0.3

Also Known As

Erect ant orchid

References (6)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 250
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 194
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1984, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 3. Lothian. p 25
Harris, S., Buchanan, A., Connolly, A., 2001, One Hundred Islands: The Flora of the Outer Furneaux. Tas Govt. p 134
Jones, D., Wapstra, H., Tonelli, P., and Harris S., 1999, The Orchids of Tasmania. Miegunyah Press, MUP, Victoria, Australia. p 110

Show all 6 references