Thelymitra frenchii

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Scarp sun orchid
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. frenchii
Binomial name
Thelymitra frenchii

Thelymitra frenchii, commonly called the scarp sun orchid [1] or Jarrahdale sun orchid, [2] is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single long, fleshy leaf and up to three relatively small, blue flowers.

Contents

Description

Thelymitra frenchii is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single channelled, fleshy, pale green, linear to lance-shaped leaf 60–120 mm (2–5 in) long and 5–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) wide. Up to three blue flowers, 18–25 mm (0.7–1 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 50–140 mm (2–6 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long and 3.5–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The column is bluish to pinkish, about 5 mm (0.2 in) long and 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther is 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide, mostly yellow with a narrow purplish band and a broad, shallow notch. The side lobes have toothbrush-like tufts of white hairs. The flowers remain open even in cool weather and until late in the day. Flowering has only been observed in October. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

Thelymitra frenchii was first formally described in 2004 by Jeff Jeanes from a specimen collected near Jarrahdale and the description was published in Muelleria . [5] The specific epithet (frenchii) honours "Christopher (Chris) J. French" for his assistance to the author. [3]

Distribution and habitat

The scarp sun orchid grows in soil pockets on granite outcrops in jarrah forest. It is only known from near Jarrahdale in the Jarrah Forest biogeographic region. [3] [6]

Conservation

Thelymitra frenchii is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. [6]

Related Research Articles

Thelymitra albiflora, commonly called the white sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to South Australia. It has a single erect, narrow, fleshy leaf and up to ten relatively small white flowers with white toothbrush-like tufts on top of the anther.

Thelymitra basaltica, commonly called the grassland sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to Victoria. It has a single fleshy, channelled, dark green leaf and up to eight small pale blue, self-pollinating flowers which open only slowly on warm to hot days.

Thelymitra exigua, commonly called the short sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single fleshy, channelled, dark green leaf and up to eight relatively small pale blue flowers with white toothbrush-like tufts on top of the anther.

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

Thelymitra graminea, commonly called the shy 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 leathery, channelled leaf and up to ten relatively small blue, self-pollinating flowers with white, toothbrush-like tufts on the top of the anther.

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

Thelymitra granitora, commonly called the coastal granite sun orchid or coastal 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 short, curved and channelled dark green leaf and up to eight relatively large pale blue or white, self-pollinating flowers with white mop-like tufts on the top of the anther.

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

Thelymitra peniculata, commonly called the trim sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to southern eastern Australia. It has a single long, erect, fleshy, channelled leaf and up to eighteen deep blue to purple self-pollinating flowers.

Thelymitra vulgaris, commonly called the slender sun orchid or common sun orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, dark green leaf and up to nine relatively small, blue to purplish or white flowers.

Thelymitra xanthotricha, commonly called the yellow tufted sun orchid or yellow tufted slender sun orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, fleshy, channelled, dark green leaf and up to six relatively large dark blue to purplish flowers.

Thelymitra inflata, commonly called the inflated sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to south eastern Australia. It has a single long, erect, linear leaf and up to six dark blue to purplish flowers with a very inflated lobe on top of the anther.

<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.

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

Thelymitra canaliculata, commonly called the flushed sun orchid or blue 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 erect, fleshy leaf and up to twenty eight blue flowers with darker veins and sometimes flushed with pink. The lobe on top of the anther is blackish with a yellow crest.

Thelymitra latiloba, commonly called the wandoo sun orchid or wandoo shirt orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, fleshy, channelled, dark green leaf and up to twelve blue flowers with darker blue veins and sometimes flushed with mauve. The lobe on top of the anther is wavy.

Thelymitra occidentalis, commonly called the western azure sun orchid or rimmed orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Australia. It has a single erect, fleshy, channelled, dark green leaf and up to fifteen blue flowers with darker blue veins and sometimes flushed with pink. The lobe on top of the anther has a wavy, yellow crest.

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

Thelymitra benthamiana, commonly called the leopard sun orchid or blotched sun orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Australia. It has a single leathery leaf and up to ten yellowish green flowers with brownish spots, blotches and patterns. The column is yellow with deeply fringed wings and the lobe on top of the anther has a large lump on its top.

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

Thelymitra dedmaniarum, commonly called the cinnamon sun orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It has a single flat, leathery leaf and up to fifteen cinnamon scented, golden yellow flowers. It is a rare orchid with a restricted distribution.

Thelymitra jacksonii, commonly called the Jackson's sun orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, flat, leathery leaf and up to twelve dark golden brown flowers with yellow streaks and blotches. The column has broad, spreading wings with a wide fringe.

<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.

Thelymitra uliginosa, commonly called southern curly locks or swamp curly locks, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect leaf, spiralling around the flowering stem and a single small pink, mauve, blue or purplish flower with darker veins and sometimes darker blotches. There are two narrow, yellow arms on the sides of the column.

Thelymitra paludosa, commonly known as the plain sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to Western Australia. It has a single erect, channelled, dark green leaf and up to ten or more blue to violet flowers. It grows in higher rainfall areas near the south coast.

References

  1. 1 2 Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 442. ISBN   9780980296457.
  2. 1 2 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. pp. 229–230. ISBN   1877069124.
  3. 1 2 3 Jeanes, Jeffrey A. (2004). "A revision of the Thelymitra pauciflora R.Br. (Orchidaceae) complex in Australia" (PDF). Muelleria. 19: 66–67. Retrieved 12 May 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  4. Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 319. ISBN   9780646562322.
  5. "Thelymitra frenchii". APNI. Retrieved 12 May 2018.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  6. 1 2 "Thelymitra frenchii". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.