About Cryptostylis subulata (Labill.) Rchb.f.
Cryptostylis subulata (Labill.) Rchb.f. is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous herb. It has leathery, dark green to yellowish-green leaves that grow on petioles ranging from 1 to 15 cm (0.5 to 6 in) long. Its leaves are lance-shaped, measuring 5–20 cm (2–8 in) long and 1–3 cm (0.5–1 in) wide. Flower spikes called inflorescences emerge from August to April, growing on a 50–80 cm (19.5–31.5 in) tall flowering stem and bearing between 2 and 20 individual flowers. Each flower has three green sepals 1.8 to 3 cm (0.71 to 1.18 in) long, plus two petals 1.0 to 1.3 cm (0.39 to 0.51 in) long that are narrower than the sepals. The labellum is a rolled, tube-like structure that can be reddish brown, purplish, or yellowish, measuring 1.5–3.5 cm (0.59–1.38 in) long by 0.5–1 cm (0.20–0.39 in) wide. A dark purple callus that ends in two knobs is located on the lower side of the labellum. This orchid tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. It grows in habitats from well-drained sandy heathland and dry eucalypt forest to swampy depressed areas. It occurs mostly in coastal districts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania in Australia, and is also found in the Blue Mountains. In New Zealand, it is only known to grow in swamps north of Kaitaia and Taipa-Mangonui. Like other Australian members of its genus, C. subulata is pollinated by Lissopimpla excelsa, the ichneumon wasp commonly known as the orchid dupe wasp. Male wasps of this species mistake parts of the orchid's flowers for female wasps and copulate with the flower, achieving pollination. Orchid enthusiasts have successfully grown Cryptostylis subulata in cultivation, but the species is slow growing. Its rhizomes are delicate, do not tolerate disturbance, and require consistently moist conditions at all times.
