Chiloglottis sphaerula

Chiloglottis sphaerula is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with two egg-shaped leaves {{convert|45-55|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|15-20|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide on a petiole {{convert|5-12|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long. A single green to reddish pink flower {{convert|20-25|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long is borne on a flowering stem {{convert|80-120|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} high. The dorsal sepal is spatula-shaped, to egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, {{convert|14-16|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|3-6|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} wide. The lateral sepals are linear, {{convert|14-17|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, about {{convert|1.5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide, erect near their bases but turn downwards and away from each other. There is a glandular tip about {{convert|2|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long on the end of the dorsal sepal and {{convert|3-6|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long on the lateral sepals. The petals are narrow egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, {{convert|12-15|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, about {{convert|4|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide and turn downwards near the ovary. The labellum is wedge-shaped to trowel-shaped, {{convert|12-14|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and about {{convert|8|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. There is a shiny black, insect-like callus about {{convert|2|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|2.5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide, occupying two-thirds of the labellum base. The large callus is surrounded by many dark reddish, club-shaped calli up to {{convert|2|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and by smaller calli near its base. The remaining one-third of the tip of the labellum is devoid of calli. The column is pale green with reddish flecks, {{convert|9.5-10.5|mm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} long and about {{convert|4|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide with narrow wings. Flowering occurs from December to February.{{cite journal|last1=Jones|first1=David L.|title=New taxa of Australian Orchidaceae|journal=Australian Orchid Research|date=2006|volume=5|pages=41–42}}

Chiloglottis sphaerula was first formally described in 2006 by David Jones from a specimen collected in the Barrington Tops National Park and the description was published in Australian Orchid Research.{{cite web|title=Chiloglottis sphaerula|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/616344|publisher=APNI|accessdate=22 April 2018}} The specific epithet (sphaerula) is a Latin word meaning "ball"{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.|page=120}} referring to the shape of the "head" of the insect-like callus.

This species was formerly known as Chiloglottis sp. aff. sphyrnoides (Northern Tablelands).{{cite book|last1=Bishop|first1=Tony|title=Field guide to the orchids of New South Wales and Victoria|date=2000|publisher=UNSW Press|location=Sydney|isbn=0868407062|pages=121–122|edition=2nd}}

This orchid grows in tall, moist forest on the southern part of the Northern Tablelands and Barrington Tops National Park.

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• {{Wikispecies-inline|Chiloglottis sphaerula|Chiloglottis sphaerula}}

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sphaerula

Category:Orchids of New South Wales

Category:Plants described in 2006