Thelymitra reflexa

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Reflexed sun orchid
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Thelymitra
Species:
T. reflexa
Binomial name
Thelymitra reflexa

Thelymitra reflexa, commonly called the reflexed sun orchid, [2] is a species of orchid that is endemic to Victoria. It has a single erect, fleshy, channelled leaf and up to six bluish purple flowers. The sepals and petals are strongly turned back towards the ovary but only on hot days when the flowers open.

Contents

Description

Thelymitra reflexa is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single erect, fleshy, channelled, linear to lance-shaped leaf 100–250 mm (4–10 in) long and 3–10 mm (0.1–0.4 in) wide with a purplish base. Up to six bluish purple flowers 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) wide are arranged on a flowering stem 170–450 mm (7–20 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long and 2.5–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide and turned strongly back towards the ovary. The column is pink or purplish, 4–5.5 mm (0.16–0.22 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther is dark blackish green, gently curved and deeply notched. The side lobes curve upwards and have mop-like tufts of white, sometimes pink hairs. Flowering occurs in October and November but the flowers are self-pollinating and only open widely on hot days. [2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

Thelymitra reflexa was first formally described in 2005 by Jeff Jeanes and the description was published in Muelleria from a specimen collected near Crib Point. [5] The specific epithet (reflexa) is a Latin word meaning "bent or turned back" [6] referring to the strongly reflexed sepals and petals, although the flower only open on very hot days. [3]

Distribution and habitat

The reflexed sun orchid grows in heathy woodland but is only known from the Mornington Peninsula and French Island. [2] [3]

Conservation status

Thelymitra reflexa is listed as "critically endangered" under the Victorian Government Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 . [4] [7]

Related Research Articles

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Thelymitra nuda, commonly known as the plain sun orchid is a species of orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has a single fleshy, channelled leaf and up to twelve dark blue to purplish, sometimes white or pinkish flowers with white tufts on top of the anther. It grows in a range of habitats and sometimes forms large colonies.

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

Thelymitra alcockiae, commonly called Kath's sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to southern continental Australia. It has a single long, narrow leaf and up to twelve pale blue to deep purplish blue flowers, mauve or reddish on their back side.

Thelymitra frenchii, commonly called the scarp sun orchid or Jarrahdale sun orchid, 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.

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

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

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.

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

Thelymitra batesii, commonly called the plump sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to South Australia. It has a single fleshy, channelled, dark green leaf and up to eight mauve to bluish purple flowers that are pinkish with darker stripes on the back. The unopened flower buds are distinctly plump.

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 holmesii</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra holmesii, commonly called the blue star sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single long, narrow, fleshy leaf and up to nine purplish blue to mauve flowers with a deeply notched lobe on 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 planicola, commonly called the glaucous sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to southern eastern Australia. It has a single erect, leathery, channelled, dark green leaf and up to twelve blue flowers with darker veins. The plant has a bluish green hue and the flowers are self-pollinating, only opening widely on hot days.

Thelymitra viridis, commonly called the green sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to Tasmania. It has a single erect, fleshy, channelled leaf and up to seven small self-pollinating pale blue to pale purplish flowers. The rest of the plant is a pale green colour.

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.

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.

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

Thelymitra azurea, commonly called the azure sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single fleshy, grass-like leaf and up to ten dark azure blue flowers with darker veins. The lobe on top of the anther has a toothed or warty tip.

Thelymitra jonesii, commonly called the skyblue sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to Tasmania. It has a single erect, fleshy, linear, dark green leaf and up to six relatively small light blue to azure blue flowers with darker veins. It is a rare orchid known from only four scattered locations in moist coastal heath.

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

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 alpina</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra alpina, commonly known as the mountain sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single dark green leaf with a purplish base and up to twenty, usually blue to purplish flowers. It grows in alpine, subalpine and montane areas of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.

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

Thelymitra glaucophylla is a species of orchid that is endemic to South Australia. It has a single erect, channelled, pale green leaf and up to fifteen pale blue, mauve or white flowers with an inflated, greyish lobe on top of the anther.

References

  1. "Thelymitra reflexa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  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. 236. ISBN   1877069124.
  3. 1 2 3 Jeanes, Jeffrey A. (2005). "Thelymitra reflexa (Orchidaceae) a new rare species from Victoria, Australia" (PDF). Muelleria. 21: 87–90. doi:10.5962/p.291562. S2CID   85680454 . Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  4. 1 2 Jeanes, Jeff. "Thelymitra reflexa". Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  5. "Thelymitra reflexa". APNI. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  6. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 652.
  7. "Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Threatened List June 2024" (PDF). Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action . Government of Victoria. p. 67. Retrieved 23 October 2024.