Chiloglottis trullata explained

Chiloglottis trullata, commonly known as the triangular ant orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to Queensland, Australia. It has two dark green leaves and a single small, green or pinkish flower with a shiny, dark reddish black, insect-like callus surrounded by reddish club-shaped calli covering most of the upper surface of the labellum.

Description

Chiloglottis trullata is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with two ground-hugging, dark green, oblong to elliptic leaves NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide on a petiole NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. A single green or pinkish flower NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide is borne on a flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 high. The dorsal sepal is spatula-shaped, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and about 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The lateral sepals are linear, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long, about 1sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and curve downwards and away from each other. There is a glandular tip about 1sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long on the end of all three sepals. The petals are linear to lance-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, about 2.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and turn downwards towards the ovary. The labellum is broadly trowel-shaped, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. There is a shiny, dark reddish black, insect-like callus with a handlebar-shaped, stalked "head" end about 1.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The callus and associated glands occupy most of the upper surface of the labellum. The column is pale green with a few purple spots, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and about 3sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide with narrow wings. Flowering occurs in July and August.^{[1] [2]}

Taxonomy and naming

Chiloglottis trullata was first formally described in 1991 by David Jones from a specimen collected in the Blackdown Tableland National Park and the description was published in Australian Orchid Research.^[3] The specific epithet (trullata) is a Latin word meaning "trowel",^[4] referring to the shape of the labellum.

Distribution and habitat

The triangular ant orchid grows near sandstone boulder in tall forest on the Blackdown Tableland.

Notes and References

1. Book: Jones. David L.. A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. 2006. New Holland. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.. 1877069124. 142.
2. Jones. David L.. New taxa of Australian Orchidaceae. Australian Orchid Research. 1991. 2. 42–43.
3. Web site: Chiloglottis trullata. APNI. 24 April 2018.
4. Book: Brown. Roland Wilbur. The Composition of Scientific Words. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.. Roland W. Brown. 817.