Thelymitra cyanea

Veined sun-orchid

Erect perennial herb with fleshy egg-shaped tubers. Plants form colonies. Flowers open readily on warm days.

SynonymThelymitra venosa
FamilyOrchidaceae
StoreyLower storey
Sizeto 50 cm high.
Plant groupingOrchids
LeavesErect single narrow, channelled, fleshy dark green leaf, to 25 cm x 7 mm, sheathing at base of stem; several sheathing stem bracts.
Flower colourDark blue to purplish with darker veins
Flowering timeDecember to January
Flowers1-6 flowers to 30 mm across. Sepals and petals egg-shaped. Column pink, blue or white with a dark collar and yellow tip; mid lobe pointed; column arms short, reddish at base.
Bird attractingNo
Butterfly attractingNo
Frog habitatNo
Growing conditionsMoist but not waterlogged soils around swamps and sphagnum bogs in sub-alpine grasslands. Full sun to semi shade. An uncommon species in Victoria, occurring just within the Shire.
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. May be locally common in these areas.
Aboriginal Use Food - tuber