Derivation of genus name: The genus was named by Robert Brown in 1810 from the Greek calos (beautiful) and cheilos (lip) in reference to their distinctive labellum.

Type species: Calochilus paludosus R.Br. (Clements, 1989)

Characteristics of genus: Unusually attractive terrestrial herbs, 30 to 100 cm tall arising from ovoid tuber; leaf, when present, narrow linear, usually thick and fleshy. The erect inflorescence carries 4-20 flowers, quite large flowers. Characteristic is the densely hariy, 'bearded' labellum, by which the genus is easily recognized. The flowers of C. caeruleus are green, densely mottled and shaded with red, the hairs on the labellum are deep metallic blue at the base with the distal two-thirds maroon red (Williams, 1964).

Number of sections and/or subsections in genus:

Number of species in New Guinea: The only species in New Guinea is C. caeruleus L.O. Williams.

Species shown here: Calochilus caeruleus L.O. Williams, drawn from Brass 8600 (A-C, Ames No. 61165 (D-F) redrawn from the plate of the type collection. (click link to view full size drawing)

Key to Illustration: A: habit; B: inflorescence; C: flower, side view of pressed specimen; D: left to right - petal, lateral sepal, dorsal sepal; E: column and labellum, side view; F: labellum from front above

Habitat: Found in open forest among sparse grass in rather stony and seasonally dry areas up to altitudes of around 600 m.

Conservation status: Not considered under threat at this stage.