Corunastylis densa
(Fitzg.) D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.Flowering plants 3–6 cm tall. Leaf lamina 6–12 mm long, projecting through the basal flowers of the inflorescence and outwards from the peduncle. Inflorescence 8–15 mm long, densely crowded. Flowers 5–25, reddish brown to dark purplish, 3–4 mm across, nodding; perianth segments sharply pointed; dorsal sepal ovate, 3–3.5 mm long, c. 1.5 mm wide, margins entire; lateral sepals divergent, linear-lanceolate, 3.5–4.5 mm long, c. 1 mm wide, apex with a small white beady gland; petals ovate, c. 2.5 mm long and 1 mm wide, apex with a small white beady gland. Labellum elliptic to obovate, 2–2.2 mm long, 1–1.2 mm wide, margins irregular or minutely denticulate; callus oblong, occupying most of the ventral surface and extending to the labellum apex. Column wings smooth or slightly scabrid. Flowers Dec.–Feb.
OtP, HSF, VAlp. Also NSW. Extremely localized in Victoria where found only on the Mt Wellington plateau and the Snowy Plains in the central highlands, growing among low shrubs in shallow soil over rocks.
Similar in appearance to Corunastylis leptochila, but that species has a narrower labellum, and is confined, as far as is known, to the Otways and flowers earlier.
Jones (2017) considers that Corunastylis nuda in the strict sense is restricted to mid- to south-eastern New South Wales. The taxonomic status of Victorian plants currently referred to this name is under review.
Jones, D.L. (2017). Characterisation of Corunastylis nudiscapa, Corunastylis densa (Orchidaceae: Prasophyllinaee) and the description of a Corunastylis leptochila, a related, new species.. Australian Orchid Review 82(5): 48–56.