Cryptostylis subulata
large tongue orchid
Overview
Cryptostylis subulata is an evergreen terrestrial orchid of eastern and southern Australia, found in damp heath, swamp margins, and wet forest. Unlike many ground orchids that die back to a tuber, it keeps a cluster of erect, lance-shaped dark green leaves through the year, each 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long on a slender stalk. In spring and summer it sends up a flowering stem 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) tall bearing several flowers. Each flower is dominated by a large, erect, reddish-brown to maroon labellum, marked with darker raised lines and held uppermost, while the narrow green sepals and petals curve below it. The flowers are pollinated when male orange ichneumon wasps attempt to mate with the labellum, drawn by a scent that mimics the female wasp. It grows in consistently moist, peaty or sandy soils in dappled light. Like other native terrestrial orchids it relies on soil fungi and is intolerant of root disturbance, which makes it slow and unreliable away from its natural setting. Plants spread slowly into small colonies from fleshy roots.
Native Range
Native to eastern and southern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania to South Australia. It grows in swampy heath, the margins of wetlands, and damp open forest on moist, often peaty soils.Suggested Uses
Cryptostylis subulata is used in bog gardens, pond and stream margins, and damp shaded native plantings where soil stays moist year-round. It is grown by terrestrial orchid enthusiasts and features in wetland and bushland conservation. Its evergreen leaves give ground cover between flowering seasons.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs through spring and summer, mainly November to February, with flowers opening one after another along the spike over several weeks. Pollination depends on male ichneumon wasps, and seed set is often high where the wasps are present. Spent flowers give way to slender seed capsules.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Reddish-brown to maroon labellum with green sepalsFoliage Description
Dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Cryptostylis subulata grows in dappled to part shade in soil that stays moist to wet and is rich in organic matter or peat over free-draining sand. It does not tolerate drying out and suits bog gardens or pond margins rather than dry borders. Like other Australian ground orchids it depends on native mycorrhizal fungi, so it is difficult to establish from transplanted plants. Where conditions suit, it forms slowly spreading clumps from fleshy roots and needs little attention. Constant moisture, shade, and undisturbed soil are the main requirements. It is rarely offered in general nurseries and is grown mostly by orchid specialists.Pruning
No pruning is required for this terrestrial orchid. Spent flowering stems can be cut once the seed capsules have formed or left to shed seed. Old or damaged leaves can be removed at the base as they yellow.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons