Calochilus ammobius

Calochilus ammobius is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single leaf 70–140 mm (3–6 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide but which is not present during flowering. Up to three short-lived dull green flowers with reddish brown streaks, 11–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and 8–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide are borne on a thin, wiry flowering stem 70–140 mm (3–6 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. The lateral sepals are a similar length but narrower. The petals are about 5 mm (0.20 in) long and 1.5 mm (0.06 in) wide. The labellum is flat, pale green and red, about 9 mm (0.4 in) long and 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. There are purplish hairs covering about three quarters of the labellum. The column has two purple sham "eyes". Flowering occurs from December to February but each flower only lasts a few hours.[2]

Calochilus ammobius was first formally described in 2002 by David Jones and Bruce Gray and the description was published in The Orchadian from specimens collected near Chewko.[3] The specific epithet (ammobius) is derived from the Ancient Greek words ammos meaning "sand"[4]^: 678 and bios meaning "life".[4]^: 145

The sand beard orchid grows in low forest with Melaleuca viridiflora, shrubs and grass tussocks in a small area near the type location.[2]