Corybas aconitiflorus
Salisb. Spurred Helmet-orchidLeaf broadly ovate to cordate, apex abruptly acuminate, grey-green above, usually reddish or purplish below, membranous, 10–20 mm long, 9–21 mm wide. Flower dull reddish-purple, pedicel inconspicuous; dorsal sepal hooded, ellipsoid, not markedly contracted at base, curved and enclosing the labellum, apex acute and often upturned, 17–25 mm long when flattened out; lateral sepals and petals linear, tapered, sepals c. 2 mm long, petals c. 1 mm long. Labellum about half the length of dorsal sepal, more or less upright, the tubular part much longer than the expanded part, very narrow towards base; auricles expanded into 2 conspicuous horn-like spurs which project down along the ovary and remain closed; lamina whitish, often marked with red or purple, convex, often undulate; margin entire but sometimes appearing serrulate due to sparse fringe of hairs, recurved. Column very narrowly winged. Flowers May–Jul.
Wim, GleP, VVP, GipP, OtP, EGL, WPro, HSF, HNF, Strz. Also Qld, NSW, Tas. Localized and uncommon in southern parts of eastern Victoria with isolated westerly occurences near Portland and Edenhope. Colonies grow in sheltered positions, often on damp sand under ferns or shrubs.
Entwisle, T.J. (1994). Orchidaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 740–901. Inkata Press, Melbourne.