Cryptostylis
Terrestrial herbs with inflorescence and leaves (if present) arising separately from a short rhizome with long-spreading thick, fleshy roots. Leaves more or less erect, leathery, few or absent. Inflorescence an erect raceme, stem moderately long, usually with 2 or 3 appressed bracts. Flowers with large, dominating labellum at top, pedicellate or sessile, subtending bract as long as or shorter than ovary; sepals longer than petals. Labellum base surrounding column, central portion with keels and/or calli. Column extremely small, short, winged.
20 species distributed through the western Pacific region; 5 occurring in Australia, 4 in Victoria. Pollinated by sexually attracted male ichneumon wasps (Lissopimpla semipunctata).
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.
Spinning
