Thelymitra is a genus of about 80 species of terrestrial tuberous plants in the Orchidaceae family distributed throughout Australia, New Zealand and islands to the north of Australia. They are known as "sun orchids" because the colorful flowers of most species only open fully on warm, sunny days, with the desert species requiring more heat than those from temperate areas. This page covers Thelymitra species a-l.
Thelymitra antennifera (Lindl.) Hook.f. known as rabbit ears or lemon orchid, is found in sand, clay, and loam in moist areas, including swampy and runoff areas on and around granite outcrops. It flowers in late winter and early spring in the southern part of Australia (Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales). It has bright yellow flowers and prominent brown ears on the column. It grows from 12 to 35 cm. tall and has perianth segments 13 to 20 mm long. First two photographs below were taken by Mary Sue Ittner and the third by Bob Rutemoeller in southwestern Western Australia in a runoff area next to a granite outcrop in September 2007. The first shows the reddish brown stripe on the outside. Remaining photos are by Ron Heberle of flowers growing in clay soil, about 50 miles northwest of Albany, Australia.
Thelymitra apiculata (A.S.George) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones or Cleopatra's Needles, is closely related to Thelymitra variegata but has smaller flowers and less variable coloring. It is native to Australia (New South Wales to Victoria). Photos below by Ron Heberle were taken near Mogumber, Western Australia, in sandy soil in laterite.
Thelymitra benthamiana Rchb.f., the Leopard Orchid, is widespread and variable from southwestern Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. It grows in winter-wet areas and woodlands. Photos by Ron Heberle.
Thelymitra campanulata Lindl. is known as the Shirt Orchid (apparently for its stripes) or the Bell Sun Orchid for its bell-like shape. It grows near the southwest coast of Australia in heath and Banksia woodlands, in sandy soils. Photos by Ron Heberle.
Thelymitra carnea R.Br. grows across Australia in forests and heathland. Photos by Ron Heberle.
Thelymitra cornicina Rchb.f. is found along the Australian coast north of Perth, where it prefers moist soils. Photos by Ron Heberle.
Thelymitra crinita Lindl., the Blue Lady Orchid, grows in Western Australia in forest and shrubland. It is distinguished from T. cornicina by its bluer flowers and oval leaf. Photos by Ron Heberle.
Thelymitra cucullata Rupp, the Swamp Sun Orchid, is found in wet areas near Albany, Western Australia. Photos by Ron Heberle.
Thelymitra flexuosa Endl. or the twisted sun orchid has a wiry zigzagging stem and one to three pale yellow small flowers. The top of the column has reddish marks and the bright yellow anther is swollen. It grows in swamps and low-lying depressions in heathland and heathy forests in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia and on granite outcrops in Western Australia. The first three photos were taken by Mary Sue Ittner. The first was taken next to a granite outcrop near Albany, Western Australia and the second two near Apollo Bay, Victoria September and October 2007. Last two photos by Ron Heberle.
Thelymitra fuscolutea R.Br., the Chestnut Sun Orchid, grows in relatively cool, high-rainfall forest areas from Perth to Albany, southwestern Australia. Photos by Ron Heberle.
Thelymitra ixioides Sw. is known as the dotted sun orchid. It has a deep green narrow ribbed leaf and one to six deep blue to violet flowers with darker spots on the dorsal sepal and the upper petals. It occurs in most of the Australian states, New Zealand and New Caledonia. It is found in many habitats but favors wet reedy or grassy flats, and damp situations in coastal heaths and open forests. The short column has a dark collar, rows of yellow finger-like calli and two white hair tufts. Photos were taken near Apollo Bay in Victoria October 2007 by Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller.
Thelymitra index - Thelymitra Species m-z