Thelymitra flexuosa

Last updated

Twisted sun orchid
Thelymitra flexuosa.jpg
Thelymitra flexuosa near Pearcedale
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Thelymitra
Species:
T. flexuosa
Binomial name
Thelymitra flexuosa
Synonyms [1]
  • Macdonaldia flexuosa(Endl.) Szlach.
  • Macdonaldia concolor Lindl.
  • Macdonaldia smithiana Gunn ex Lindl.
  • Thelymitra smithiana(Gunn ex Lindl.) Hook.f.

Thelymitra flexuosa, known as the twisted sun orchid, [2] is a species of orchid that is endemic to southern Australia. It has a single thin, wiry leaf and up to four cream-coloured to canary yellow flowers with four rows of short hairs on the back of the column. It is a common and widespread species, superficially similar to T. antennifera .

Contents

Description

Thelymitra flexuosa is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single wiry, linear leaf 60–150 mm (2–6 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. Up to four cream-coloured to canary yellow 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide borne on a flowering stem 200–350 mm (8–10 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 5.5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide. The labellum (the lowest petal) is shorter and narrower than the other petals and sepals. The column is white to cream-coloured, 4.5–5 mm (0.18–0.20 in) long and about 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide with four lines of short hairs on its back. The lobe on the top of the anther is short with a few brown glands on its back. The side lobes are bright yellow and covered with short hairs. The flowers are short-lived, self-pollinating and open only slowly on hot, humid days. Flowering occurs from September to November. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy and naming

Thelymitra flexuosa was first formally described in 1839 by Stephan Endlicher and the description was published in Novarum Stirpium Decades. [6] [7] The specific epithet (flexuosa) is a Latin word meaning "full of bends", "tortuous", "crooked" or "winding", [8] :692 referring to the twisted or "zig-zagged" flowering stem. [5] [9]

Distribution and habitat

The twisted sun orchid is widespread and common throughout its range. It grows with sedges and low shrubs in moist places such as the edge of swamps. It occurs in southern Victoria, south-eastern South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. [2] [3] [4] In Western Australia it is found between Kalbarri and Israelite Bay. [10] [11] [12]

Related Research Articles

<i>Dasymalla</i> Genus of flowering plants

Dasymalla is a genus of five species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. Plants in this genus are woolly shrubs with five petals joined to form a tube-shaped flower with four stamens of unequal lengths. These species are similar to those in the genus Pityrodia except that the fruit does not release its seeds when mature.

<i>Thelymitra rubra</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra rubra, commonly called the salmon sun orchid or pink sun orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to southeastern Australia. It has a single thin, grass-like leaf and up to five salmon pink flowers with broad, toothed arms on the sides of the column. It is similar to T. carnea but the flowers are larger and the column arms are a different shape.

<i>Caladenia saccharata</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia saccharata, commonly known as sugar orchid, is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family, Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single leaf and a single flower with three white sepals and two similar petals.

<i>Dendrobium striolatum</i> Species of orchid

Dendrobium striolatum, commonly known as the streaked rock orchid is a species of orchid endemic to eastern Australia. It is a small, usually lithophytic orchid with wiry stems, cylindrical leaves and flowering stems with one or two yellow, cream-coloured or greenish flowers with reddish stripes. It often grows on cliff faces in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

<i>Eremophila viscida</i> Species of flowering plant

Eremophila viscida, commonly known as varnish bush, is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a large shrub or small tree with large green leaves which are sticky when young, colourful sepals and greenish-white petals with red to purple markings.

Dasymalla axillaris, commonly known as native foxglove or woolly foxglove, is a flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a small, diffuse shrub with its branches, leaves and some of its flower parts densely covered with white, woolly hairs. The flowers are a shade of red and tube-shaped with the stamens and style extending beyond the end of the five petals.

<i>Dasymalla terminalis</i> Species of flowering plant

Dasymalla terminalis, commonly known as native foxglove, is a flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with its branches, leaves and some of its flower parts densely covered with white, woolly hairs. The leaves are thick and soft and the flowers are tube-shaped, pale to deep pinkish-purple or claret red.

<i>Caladenia brunonis</i> Species of orchid

Caladenia brunonis, commonly known as the purple enamel orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a ground orchid with a single flattened, hairy leaf and up to three glossy purple flowers. It has recently been known as Elythranthera brunonis since 1963 but recent discoveries suggest its inclusion in the genus Caladenia.

<i>Thelymitra aristata</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra aristata, commonly called the great sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single large, thick leaf and bracts and up to forty crowded blue or purplish flowers with darker veins.

<i>Thelymitra carnea</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra carnea, commonly called the tiny sun orchid or pinkish sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is native to Australia and New Zealand. It has narrow, almost cylindrical leaves and up to four relatively small pale to deep pink flowers on a wiry, zig-zag stem.

Thelymitra lucida, commonly called the glistening sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to south eastern Australia. It has a single erect, fleshy leaf and up to seven dark blue flowers with the sepals a lighter blue than the petals.

<i>Thelymitra mucida</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra mucida, commonly called the plum sun orchid or plum orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to southern Australia. It has a single erect, fleshy, linear leaf and up to six blue, purplish or plum coloured flowers with a thick, sticky secretion on the anther lobe.

Thelymitra silena, commonly called the madonna sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to Tasmania. It has a single thick, fleshy, channelled leaf and up to fifteen pale blue flowers with an almost spherical yellow lobe on top of the anther.

Thelymitra polychroma, commonly called the rainbow sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to Tasmania. It has a single narrow, fleshy leaf and up to four blue and mauve flowers with darker veins. It grows in windswept heath and swampy areas and the flowers are self-pollinated.

<i>Thelymitra improcera</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra improcera, commonly called the coastal sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single erect, fleshy leaf and up to eight relatively small pale to bright blue flowers on a short flowering stem. The lobe on top of the anther is unusually short and lobed.

Thelymitra cornicina, commonly called the lilac sun orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single narrow, pale green leaf and up to eight lilac-tinged blue flowers with the lobe on top of the anther covered with short, finger-like calli.

<i>Thelymitra venosa</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra venosa, commonly known as the large veined sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to New South Wales. It has a single fleshy, channelled leaf and up to six relatively large, bright-blue flowers with darker veins. The arms on the side of the column are twisted and yellow, but not toothed at the tip. Unlike most other thelymitras, the flowers do not usually close on cloudy days.

<i>Thelymitra magnifica</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra magnifica, commonly called the Crystal Brook sun orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, flat, leathery leaf and up to eight crowded, dark golden brown flowers with yellow streaks and blotches. The column has broad, deeply fringed, yellow or brownish wings.

<i>Thelymitra yorkensis</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra yorkensis, commonly called the York sun orchid or bronze sun orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, flat, leathery leaf and up to twelve crowded, cinnamon scented, orange-coloured flowers with reddish brown edges. The column has broad, deeply fringed, orange wings.

<i>Thelymitra cucullata</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra cucullata, commonly called the swamp sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single narrow leaf and up to ten small, greenish cream-coloured to white flowers with purple blotches and which quickly droop after they have been fertilised.

References

  1. 1 2 "Thelymitra flexuosa". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. 1 2 3 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 247. ISBN   1877069124.
  3. 1 2 Jeanes, Jeff. "Thelymitra flexuosa". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 30 May 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  4. 1 2 "Thelymitra flexuosa". State Herbarium of South Australia. Retrieved 30 May 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  5. 1 2 Mayfield, Enid (2010). Flora of the Otway plain & ranges (Volume 1) (2nd ed.). Collingwood, VIC: CSIRO Publishing. p. 178. ISBN   9780643098046.
  6. "Thelymitra flexuosa" . Retrieved 30 May 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  7. Endlicher, Stephan L.; Fenzl, Edouard (1839). Novarum Stirpium Decades No. 3. pp. 23–24. Retrieved 30 May 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  8. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 139.
  9. Archer, William. "Thelymitra flexuosa". Esperance Wildflowers. Retrieved 30 May 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  10. Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 436. ISBN   9780980296457.
  11. Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 299. ISBN   9780646562322.
  12. "Thelymitra flexuosa". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.