Citation: Reichb. F., Beitr. Syst. Pfl. 15 (1871).

Synonymy: Malaxis subulata Labill., Nov. Holl. Pl. Sp. 2:62 (1806);C. longifolia R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 317 (1810). , Malaxia subulata

Common name: Moose orchid, (large) tongue-orchid, duck-bill orchid.

Description:
Slender, 30-90 cm high; leaves 2 or 3, on petioles 1-9 cm long, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, with a prominent midrib, 4-15 x 1-1.5 cm; stem bracts appressed, acute, usually 3.

Flowers 3-8, sessile, reversed, with a large conspicuous yellowish-brown labellum and narrow lighter coloured perianth-segments; sepals subequal, subulate, c. 20 mm long; petals narrower and much shorter, c. 13 mm long; labellum oblong or oblong-ovate, spreading, c. 25 mm long (extended) and c. 10 mm in the widest part; margins somewhat sinuous towards the base, depressed about the middle, channelled around the tip; lamina concave in the vicinity of the anther, elsewhere convex, traversed in its anterior-half by 2 principal somewhat beaded central raised lines and 2 secondary parallel ones all terminating in a conspicuous reddish-brown 2-lobed glandular process near the apex, posteriorly a central reddish-brown "guide-line" (not raised) ending below the rostellum with 2 shorter and similar lines on either side of it; column produced laterally and posteriorly into membranous glandular toothed or fimbriate wings over the back of the anther.

Published illustration: Fitzgerald (1885) Australian orchids vol. 2, pt 2; Dockrill (1969) Australian indigenous orchids 1:125; Cady & Rotherham (1970) Australian native orchids in colour, pl. 69.

Distribution:  Forms small colonies in permanent swamps but rare. S.Aust.: SL, KI, SE.   Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas.   New Zealand. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Dec. — Feb.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: Pollination is effected only by pseudo-copulating male wasps (Lissopimpla semipunctata).

Author: Not yet available