Australian and New Zealand authorities use the name Corunastylis nuda[2][3][4] but Genoplesium nudum[1] and Prasophyllum transversum[5] are used by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.

[2][3][4] The tiny midge orchid was first formally described in 1853 by Joseph Dalton Hooker who gave it the name Prasophyllum nudum and published the description in Flora Novae-Zelandiae.

[10] Prasophyllum transversum was formally described by Robert D. FitzGerald in 1888[11] but Jones and Clements regarded this as a synonym of Genoplesium nudum, now known as C. nuda in the countries where it occurs.

[2][3][4] Most species of Genoplesium and Corunastylis are pollinated by small vinegar flies but C. nuda is self-pollinating and reproduces solely by seed.

[12] The tiny midge orchid is widespread and common throughout its range, except in Tasmania, where it is listed as "Rare" under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.