Cryptostylis ovata, commonly known as slipper orchid or western tongue orchid,[1] is an orchid endemic to Western Australia. It is a common, summer flowering species with dark green leaves with a white central vein and up to fifteen pale greenish flowers with a brownish red labellum with a network of darker veins.
Cryptostylis ovata is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb which usually grows in colonies although only a few plants may flower in any one year. It has one to several egg-shaped leaves Шаблон:Convert long and Шаблон:Convert wide on a petioleШаблон:Convert long. The leaves are dark green with a central white vein on the upper surface and purplish red below. This species is the only orchid in Western Australia to have leaves throughout the year. Between four and fifteen flowers Шаблон:Convert long and Шаблон:Convert wide are borne on a flower stem Шаблон:Convert high. The sepals and petals are greenish yellow, the sepals Шаблон:Convert long and Шаблон:Convert wide and the petals shorter and narrower. The most prominent feature of the flower is its labellum which is Шаблон:Convert long, Шаблон:Convert wide when flattened, projects stiffly forwards and is reddish brown with a fine network of darker veins. Flowering occurs from November to February.[1][2][3]
