Plants of the Castlemaine District
  Common Bird Orchid - native (Chiloglottis valida)
   	
   	
   	
      	
	
	
Family: Orchidaceae  (Orchid family).
    
Native of South-eastern Australia.
Identification:
- it an orchid of the wetter forests
- it grows from a pair of large green leaves ((to 10 cm long)
- the flowers are a dark purplish brown
The orchid often forms dense colonies, with the leaves crowded together. Usually the leaves are found before the flowers. 
Photos  1: Taradale. 2: Fryers Ridge.

