It is the most common and widespread of the West Australian china orchids, sometimes appearing in large numbers after summer fires.

[2][3][4][5] The blue china orchid was first formally described in 1840 by John Lindley who gave it the name Caladenia gemmata in A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony.

[7] The specific epithet (gemmata) is a Latin word meaning "jewelled", referring to the labellum calli.

[3] Cyanicula gemmata is a common and widespread china orchid found between Kalbarri in the north and Israelite Bay in the east, growing in a range of habitats from heath to forest.

[2][3][4][8] Cyanicula gemmata is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.