Thelymitra spiralis

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Curly locks
Thelymitra spiralis.jpg
Near Ajana
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. spiralis
Binomial name
Thelymitra spiralis
Synonyms [1]
  • Macdonaldia spiralis Lindl.
  • Thelymitra spiralis var. pallida Nicholls
  • Thelymitra spiralis var. punctataNicholls
  • Thelymitra spiralis var. scouleraeNicholls

Thelymitra spiralis, commonly called curly locks, [2] 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 up to three pink, reddish, purplish or blue flowers with two large yellow or orange ear-like arms on the sides of the column.

Contents

Description

Thelymitra spiralis is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single leaf which is egg-shaped near the reddish base, then suddenly narrows to a linear, channelled, curved or spirally twisted upper part. The upper part is 50–120 mm (2–5 in) long and 2–5 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide. Up to three pink, reddish, purplish or blue flowers, sometimes with darker veins or spots, 20–50 mm (0.8–2 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 50–450 mm (2–20 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 10–25 mm (0.4–1 in) long and 4–9 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide. The column is a similar colour to the petals, 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide with a cluster of small glands on its back. There are two ear-like, orange or yellow arms on the sides of the column. The flowers are self-pollinating and open on hot days. Flowering occurs from July to September. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy and naming

Curly locks was first formally described in 1840 by John Lindley who gave it the name Macdonaldia spiralis and published the description in A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony . [6] In 1865 Ferdinand von Mueller changed the name to Thelymitra spiralis and published the updated name in Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae . [7] The specific epithet (spiralis) is a Latin word meaning "coil" or "twist" [8] referring to the spirally twisted leaf. [4]

Distribution and habitat

Thelymitra spiralis grows in winter-wet areas, often with sedges. It occurs between Kalbarri and the Cape Arid National Park but is now very rare near Perth. [2] [3] [4] [9]

Conservation

Thelymitra spiralis is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. [9]

Related Research Articles

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

Thelymitra macrophylla, commonly called the large-leafed sun orchid or scented sun 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 thick, broad, leathery leaf and up to twenty five relatively large dark blue to purplish flowers with white, toothbrush-like tufts.

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 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.

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.

<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 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.

<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 fuscolutea, commonly called the chestnut 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, flat, leathery leaf and up to fifteen or more yellowish green flowers with reddish brown streaks and blotches. The column has broad, deeply fringed cream or whitish wings.

<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.

Thelymitra stellata, commonly called the star orchid or starry 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, flat, leathery leaf and up to twelve brown to reddish brown flowers with yellow streaks and blotches. The column has broad, deeply fringed, orange or yellow 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 maculata</i> Species of orchid

Thelymitra maculata, commonly called the spotted curly locks or eastern 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 pink or purplish, spotted flower with more or less circular, yellow ear-like arms on the sides of the column.

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.

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

Thelymitra apiculata, commonly called Cleopatra's needles, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, curved, dark green leaf with a purplish base and up to twelve purplish flowers with darker blotches and golden yellow edges. There are two yellow arms on the sides of the column, each ending with a needle-like point.

Thelymitra pulcherrima, commonly called the northern Queen of Sheba, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, spiral, dark green leaf with a purplish base and up to seven glossy, variegated flowers with the sepals and petals differing in colour. The petals and sepals and basically reddish or purplish but with streaks and blotches of contrasting colours. There are two bright yellow or orange arms on the sides of the column.

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

Thelymitra speciosa, commonly called the eastern Queen of Sheba, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, spiral, dark green leaf with a purplish base and one or two glossy, purplish flowers with broad reddish edges and yellowish margins. There are two bright yellow or orange arms on the sides of the column.

Thelymitra variegata, commonly called the Queen of Sheba, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, spiral, dark green leaf with a purplish base and up to five glossy, variegated reddish, purplish or violet flowers with darker spots and blotches and yellowish margins. There are two bright yellow or orange 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 "Thelymitra spiralis". 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. pp. 253–254. ISBN   1877069124.
  3. 1 2 Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 302. ISBN   9780646562322.
  4. 1 2 3 Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 426. ISBN   9780980296457.
  5. Jeanes, Jeffrey A. (2009). "Resolution of the Thelymitra variegata (Orchidaceae) complex of southern Australia and New Zealand" (PDF). Muelleria. 27 (2): 157–158. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  6. "Macdonaldia spiralis". APNI. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  7. "Thelymitra spiralis". APNI. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  8. Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 738.
  9. 1 2 "Thelymitra spiralis". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.