Common gnat orchid

Appearance

''Cyrtostylis reniformis'' is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with a single kidney-shaped, heart-shaped or almost round leaf 15–40 mm long and 10–30 mm wide. Up to eight dark reddish brown, or rarely yellowish flowers 11–14 mm long are borne on a flowering stem 50–150 mm high. The dorsal sepal is erect and curved forward, linear to lance-shaped, 11.5–13 mm long and about 2 mm wide. The lateral sepals are linear, 10–11 mm long, about 1 mm wide and curve forwards or downwards. The petals are similar in size and shape to the lateral sepals and curve downwards. The labellum is oblong, 10–12.5 mm long and about 5 mm wide and shelf-like with a few serrations near its pointed tip. Flowering occurs from May to October.

Naming

''Cyrtostylis reniformis'' was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in ''Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen''.
The specific epithet is derived from the Latin ''ren'', genitive ''renis'' meaning "kidney" and ''forma'' meaning "shape".

Distribution

The eastern Australian variety of ''C. reniformis'' is widespread and locally common from coastal scrub to inland forest and heath. It occurs in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

Habitat

The eastern Australian variety of ''C. reniformis'' is widespread and locally common from coastal scrub to inland forest and heath. It occurs in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.