Kingdom Plantae Family Orchidaceae Tribe Diurideae Rank Species | Order Asparagales Subfamily Orchidoideae Subtribe Caladeniinae | |
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Similar Glossodia, Glossodia major, Thelymitra ixioides, Caladenia catenata, Prasophyllum elatum | ||
Glossodia minor, the Small Waxlip Orchid is a small terrestrial orchid, found in eastern Australia. Usually found near the coast, often in heathland growing on sandstone based soils. It may grow from 5 to 16 cm (2 to 6.5 in) tall. One or two flowers appear in winter or spring. They are rarely white, but more often a pink, violet, rosy pink or bluish purple. The single leaf is parallel to the ground, 2 to 4 cm (1 to 1.5 in) long, and broad lanceolate in shape. The leaf and stem are noticeably hairy. This plant first appeared in scientific literature in 1810, in the Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae authored by the prolific Scottish botanist, Robert Brown.
Glossodia minor can be distinguished from the waxlip orchid (Glossodia major) by its smaller flowers. The latter species has a white base to the labellum.
Glossodia minor is found along the eastern coastline of Australia in Queensland and New South Wales, where it reaches as far west as Temora. It is also found in Victoria west to Marlo.