This native groundcover is commonly known as leafless tongue orchid.
Cryptostylis hunteriana is described as a "monocot" in the Orchidaceae family.
In the Queensland Nature Conservation Act it is classified as Least Concern. Under the Federal Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act it is classified as Vulnerable.
Very rare in area, only known by 7-10 plants at Tinnanbar (Alan Logan). Data deficient species (Department of Environment and Heritage Protection 09/03/2015). Tinnanbar is the northern limit. Also recorded in Queensland to the south of the Fraser Coast region near Cooloola Cove and on the Sunshine Coast.
A largish saprophytic leafless plant with a yellowish flowering stem 20-30cm high with 3-8 pale 3cm high flowers with a dark red, hairy, erect labellum. Flowering period August-November. Listed as a special least concern species in Queensland (https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/plants/protected-plants/harvesting).
It has been recorded in the Wide Bay district in the Queensland Herbarium Census and is listed as occurring in the Fraser Coast region in Queensland Herbarium Wildlife Online.
Reported at 1 Fraser Coast locality: Tinnanbar.
Fraser Coast distribution based on unverified field reports.
AVH
