Chiloglottis R.Br. is a genus in the Orchidaceae indigenous to Australia and New Zealand. These deciduous, small terrestrial plants are tuberous and are commonly known as bird orchids. The species have 1 to 4 paired (usually two) oblong-lanceolate, glabrous leaves and a solitary flower. The short peduncle elongates after fertilization of the flower. The flower is insect-pollinated by sexual deception (pseudocopulation) of specific wasps. The lip has raised calli, whose structures mimic the flightless female of the wasp pollinator. Two new genera have been proposed to be segregated from this genus, Simpliglottis and Myrmechila, both spring/summer flowering. The autumn flowering species remained in Chiloglottis. This segregation was not accepted.
Chiloglottis valida D.L.Jones or the large Bird orchid, syn. Simpliglottis valida (D.L.Jones) Szlach. is found in moist slopes and gullies in forests in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. It has two ground hugging green leaves and a greenish to purplish flower about 3.5 cm across. It is supposed to resemble a small bird with its beak open waiting to be fed. Height range: 4-10 cm. Photos were taken near Menzies Creek, Australia October 2007 by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner.
