Genoplesium nudum

Genoplesium nudum is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single thin leaf 150–300 mm (6–10 in) long and fused to the flowering stem with the free part 10–20 mm (0.4–0.8 in) long. Between five and forty reddish-purple or green and red flowers are crowded along a flowering stem 50–100 mm (2–4 in) tall. The flowers lean forwards and are about 4.5 mm (0.2 in) long, 3 mm (0.12 in) wide and often do not open fully. The flowers are inverted so that the labellum is above the column rather than below it. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, about 2 mm (0.08 in) long and about 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide. The lateral sepals are lance-shaped, about 3 mm (0.12 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide, fused at the base then free from each other and curved downwards. The petals are egg-shaped, 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with a pointed tip. The labellum is egg-shaped, thick and fleshy, 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long, 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with fine teeth along its edges. There is a channelled, egg-shaped callus in the centre of the labellum and extending almost to its tip. Flowering occurs between December and March in Australia and until August in New Zealand.

Genoplesium nudum usually grows in moist, grassy forest. It is found New South Wales south from the New England region, in eastern Victoria, in Tasmania and in the North, South and Chatham Islands of New Zealand.

Most species of Genoplesium and Corunastylis are pollinated by small vinegar flies but C. nuda is self-pollinating and reproduces solely by seed. It does not seem to require fire before flowering but often appears in disturbed sites.