Glossodia is a small genus of two species in the Orchidaceae family endemic to eastern Australia. The two species are terrestrial, growing from tubers, and with a solitary hairy leaf and usually one to two mauve to purple flowers. The common name is Wax-lip Orchid. Taxonomic work by MA Clements, CG Howard CG1, and JT Miller published in 2015 concluded that none of the current taxonomic treatments for Caladenia were satisfactory. They suggested a return to Lindley's concept of Caladenia (1830-1840) but also including Glossodia and Elythranthera. This has been accepted in 2023.
Caladenia major (R.Br.) Rchb.f., syn. Glossodia major R.Br., is a slender plant that is 10 to 40 cm high. The 3.4 to 4.5 cm flowers are usually solitary, but occasionally 2 and range in color from pale to deep mauve, occasionally white. It grows in a variety of habitats and flowers in spring. The lip is white at the base with a mauve or purple tip. The pictures below were taken by Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller in October 2007 in Victoria (near Apollo Bay and in the Grampians).
Caladenia minorata M.A.Clem., syn. Glossodia minor R.Br., is smaller (flower size 2 to 2.5 cm) and found in heathland and healthy forest, mainly in coastal regions. It has a mauve lip.