Calochilus ammobius, commonly known as the sand beard orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to Queensland. It has a single leaf which is not present during flowering and up to three dull green flowers with reddish brown streaks and a labellum with a purple "beard".
Calochilus ammobius is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single leaf NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide but which is not present during flowering. Up to three short-lived dull green flowers with reddish brown streaks, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide are borne on a thin, wiry flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 tall. The dorsal sepal is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and about 4sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The lateral sepals are a similar length but narrower. The petals are about 5sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and 1.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The labellum is flat, pale green and red, about 9sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and 4sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. There are purplish hairs covering about three quarters of the labellum. The column has two purple sham "eyes". Flowering occurs from December to February but each flower only lasts a few hours.[1]
Calochilus ammobius was first formally described in 2002 by David Jones and Bruce Gray and the description was published in The Orchadian from specimens collected near Chewko.[2] The specific epithet (ammobius) is derived from the Ancient Greek words ammos meaning "sand"[3] and bios meaning "life".
The sand beard orchid grows in low forest with Melaleuca viridiflora, shrubs and grass tussocks in a small area near the type location.