Thelymitra pauciflora
Slender Sun-orchid
Perennial herb with fleshy egg-shaped tubers. Plants form massed displays. Flowers frequently remain closed and self-pollinate.
Additional information
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size20-50 cm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- LeavesErect single narrow to lance-shaped, channelled, fleshy leaf, often reddish base, to 30 cm x 20 mm, sheathing at base of stem; 2-3 sheathing stem bracts.
- Flower colourPale blue
- Flowering timeOctober to November
- Flowers1-3 flowers to 20 mm across. Sepals and petals similar. Column white to blue with a reddish-brown collar and yellow tip; curved mid lobe with entire to notched hood; column arms short with dense terminal tuft of white hairs.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsWidespread, from moist heavy soils to well drained loams in a wide range of heaths, forest and woodland communities. Full sun, semi shade.
- 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 statusWidespread within the Shire
- Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
- Related speciesThelymitra arenaria is part of the T. pauciflora complex. It has been collected from Mt. Dandenong. Plants are clump-forming, grow 20-40 cm high & have 2-12 purple flowers with darker veins, opening on hot days. The column mid-lobe is brown with a notched yellow tip. Column arms have a brush of white hairs along their length.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 3 Peter Kinchington ©; 2 Cathy Powers ©
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