It has two broad leaves and a single green to purplish brown flower with a line of erect calli with swollen heads along the mid-line of the labellum.

It is widespread but mainly in coastal districts and most commonly in moist to wet forest.

[2][3] Chiloglottis gunnii was first formally described in 1840 by John Lindley and the description was published in his book The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants.

[4][5] The specific epithet (gunnii) honours Ronald Campbell Gunn, who collected the type specimen which was sent to William Jackson Hooker who forwarded it to Lindley.

[5][6] The tall bird orchid is widespread but uncommon, growing mostly in wet forest and coastal scrub.