Cryptostylis subulata, known as the large tongue orchid grows in south eastern Australia. It was given its current name by H.G. Reichenbach in 1871, originally described by Labillardiere as Malaxis subulata in 1806 from Tasmania. The specific epithet subulata refers to the duck like shape of the flower's labellum. Sometimes this plant is known as the duck orchid, but this may cause confusion with the flying duck orchid.