Bonnet orchid, tartan tongue orchid

This evergreen terrestrial orchid grows in open forest around Brisbane, often in large colonies. The distinctive flower cannot be confused with any other orchid. When not in flower, this orchid consists of one or sometimes more green leaves growing vertically from the ground to about 10 cm by 2 cm, like a gum leaf, but the back of the leaf is purplish. The leaf is very distinctive once learned.

The flower has a concave labellum to about 30 mm high will thin green petals and sepals. The labellum features purplish veining giving a very distinctive appearance. The flower stem grows to about 45 cm with up to a dozen flowers.