Thelymitra carnea
Pink Sun-orchid
Perennial herb with fleshy egg-shaped tubers. Slender reddish-brown stem. Plants scattered.
Additional information
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size8-40 cm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- LeavesErect single narrow to rounded channelled leaf 4-18 cm x 1-2.5 mm, green with reddish base, sheathing at base of stem; 2-3 sheathing stem bracts.
- Flower colourBright pink
- Flowering timeOctober to November
- Flowers1-4 flowers to 15 mm across. Sepals and petals similar. Column pale pink, mid lobe with pink collar and yellow tip, short, narrow, not hooded; yellow column arms narrow, obliquely erect, margins scalloped; anther green.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist soils which dry out in summer on margins of swamps. Full sun, semi shade. Flowers only open on hot humid days, self-pollinating in cooler weather.
- Garden useUse of orchids in gardens is not recommended, unless they already occur naturally, in which case they need to be protected. Removing orchids from the bush usually results in their death and further depletes remaining wild orchid populations.
- Commercially availableRarely
- Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known from very few local sites.
- Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1 Richard Hartlands ©; 2 Colin Rowan, RetiredAussies ©; 3 Bill Campbell, iNaturalistNZ ©; 4 Tangatawhenua, iNaturalistNZ ©
Plant Communities