Thelymitra tigrina

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Tiger 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. tigrina
Binomial name
Thelymitra tigrina

Thelymitra tigrina, commonly called tiger orchid [2] or tiger sun orchid, [3] is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single narrow leaf and up to fifteen small yellow flowers with small brown spots.

Contents

Description

Thelymitra tigrina is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single leaf 100–150 mm (4–6 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. Between two and fifteen yellow, cup-shaped flowers with many dark brown spots, 10–16 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 150–700 mm (6–30 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The column is a similar colour to the sepals and petals, 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and has short, white, pimply arms on the sides. The lobe on top of the anther is short and covered with small bumps. The flowers are self-pollinated and open on hot, sunny days. Flowering occurs from November to January. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy and naming

Thelymitra tigrina was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen . [6] [7] The specific epithet (tigrina) is a Latin word meaning "of tigers", [8] referring to the colour of the flowers. [2]

Distribution and habitat

Tiger orchid grows in dense scrub in near-coastal, winter-wet scrub. It is found between Perth and Albany with a disjunct population near Esperance. [3] [2] [4] [5] [9]

Conservation

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

References

  1. ↑ "Thelymitra tigrina". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 438. ISBN   9780980296457.
  3. 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. 256. ISBN   1877069124.
  4. 1 2 Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 297. ISBN   9780646562322.
  5. 1 2 Archer, William. "Tiger orchid - Thelymitra tigrina". Esperance Wildflowers. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "Thelymitra tigrina". APNI. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  7. ↑ Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae. London. p. 315. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  8. ↑ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 189.
  9. 1 2 "Thelymitra tigrina". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
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