Thelymitra rubra
Salmon Sun-orchid
Perennial herb with fleshy egg-shaped tubers. Green, pink or reddish stem. Plants scattered.
Additional information
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Size10-40 cm high
- Plant groupingOrchids
- LeavesErect single narrow to rounded channelled leaf 10-20 cm x 1-2.5 mm, green or purplish, sheathing at base of stem; 2-3 sheathing stem bracts.
- Flower colourSalmon-pink, reddish brown on outside
- Flowering timeSeptember to October
- Flowers1-5 flowers to 25 mm across. Sepals and petals similar. Column pink, mid lobe with red collar and yellow tip, broad but not hooded; column arms flat, incurved, margins toothed or lobed; anther yellow.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist soils around margins of swamps and in depressions of heathy woodlands and open forests. 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 statusScattered within the Shire.
- Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 3, 4 Neil Blair, Royal Botanic Gardens Board ©; 2 Cathy Powers ©
Plant Communities