Thelymitra nuda

Scented or Plain Sun-orchid

Perennial herb with fleshy egg-shaped tubers. Plants are not clump-forming but form massed displays.

FamilyOrchidaceae
StoreyLower storey
Sizeto 40 cm high
Plant groupingOrchids
LeavesErect single lance-shaped, channelled, fleshy leaf, often reddish base to 30 cm x 10 mm, sheathing at base of stem; 2-3 sheathing stem bracts.
Flower colourBlue
Flowering timeNovember to January
Flowers1-10 scented flowers to 35 mm across. Sepals and petals similar. Column blue with a darker collar and yellow tip; curved mid lobe with cleft hood; column arms have dense terminal tuft of white hairs.
Bird attractingNo
Butterfly attractingNo
Frog habitatNo
Growing conditionsWell drained soils in open forest. Full sun, semi shade. Flowers open freely on warm days.
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
Related speciesLocally rare, this species is very similar to the more widespread Thelymitra pauciflora. It flowers more freely than the smaller, shyer T. pauciflora.