About Chiloglottis formicifera Fitzg.
Chiloglottis formicifera Fitzg., commonly known as common ant orchid, is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb. It grows two leaves that measure 30–60 mm (1–2 in) long and 15–25 mm (0.6–1 in) wide. One single greenish or reddish flower, 12–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide, is produced on a flowering stem that stands 60–100 mm (2–4 in) high. The dorsal sepal is spatula-shaped, 10–12.5 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and approximately 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. The lateral sepals are 9–10 mm (0.35–0.39 in) long, around 0.7 mm (0.03 in) wide; they are erect at their base and curve downwards further along their length. All three sepals have a glandular tip roughly 0.5 mm (0.02 in) long at their end. The petals are lance-shaped, with the narrower end oriented toward the base. They measure 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long, around 3 mm (0.1 in) wide, and bend strongly downwards. The labellum is diamond-shaped, 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 6–7.5 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. Most of the labellum's upper surface is covered by a narrow, shiny black, ant-like callus. Flowering takes place from August to November. This orchid grows in moist locations within forest, ranging between the Northern Tablelands and Nowra in Australia. There is one single historical record of this species from Kaitaia, New Zealand.
