It has been known as Glossodia minor since its description by the prolific Scottish botanist Robert Brown in 1810, but recent discoveries suggest its inclusion in the genus Caladenia.

[3][4][5][6] Glossodia minor was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae.

[8] Glossodia minor is regarded as a synonym of the name Caladenia minorata which is accepted by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

[9] Small waxlip orchid is mainly found along the eastern coastline of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

It is mainly restricted to coastal grasstree plains in East Gippsland in Victoria but there are records from as far west as Wilsons Promontory.