Citation: Ames, Orchidaceae 2:53 (1908) subsp. australis (R. Br.) Kitamura, Acta Phytotax. geobot. 21 (1-2):23 (1964).

Synonymy: Neottia sinensis Pers., Syn. Pl. 2:511 (1807); N. australis R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 319 (1810); S. australis (R. Br.) Lindley, Edward's Bot. Reg. 10:t. 823 (1824).

Common name: Austral) ladies-tresses.

Description:
A marsh-plant arising from several (often 6) elongated conical or terete tubers; scape 15-45 cm high; leaves usually 3, linear-lanceolate, 4-10 cm long; stem-bracts usually 3.

Flowers white or pink, the subtending bracts ovate, pubescent on the outside, about as long as the ovary; ovary pubescent, shortly ovoid; perianth-segments 4.5-5 mm long; the petals rather wider at the tips than at the base; labellum white, more or less rectangular, the lower half bulging at the base; the tip truncate, the margins fringed or glandular-dentate; a large ovoid body on each side of the lamina at the base; column c. 3 mm long, fleshy; anther reaching to about the base of the rostellum; stigmatic surface U-shaped, slightly sloping downwards; the disk of the rostellum slate-coloured, long, narrow-elliptical (boat-shaped), covered by a membranous capsule derived from the rostellum; pollinia lamellate, pear-shaped.

Published illustration: Fitzgerald (1876) Australian orchids vol. 1, pt 2 as S. australis; Clyne (1970) Australian ground orchids, p. 64; Cady & Rotherham (1970) Australian native orchids in colour, pl. 58; Curtis (1980) Student's flora of Tasmania 4A:pl. 26.

Distribution:  Occurs in small populations in swamp and bogland. Uncommon.   Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas.   New Zealand. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Dec. — March.

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

Biology: Two distinct forms occur in S.Aust. An insect pollinated form with large freely expanding pink and white flowers occurring in lowland swamps. An autogamous form with narrow hardly expanding greenish-white or white flowers with degenerate columns occurring in upland bogs in the SL (Fleurieu Peninsula).

Author: Not yet available