Thelymitra orientalis

Thelymitra orientalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Monocots
Order:Asparagales
Family:Orchidaceae
Subfamily:Orchidoideae
Tribe:Diurideae
Subtribe:Thelymitrinae
Genus:Thelymitra
Species: T. orientalis
Binomial name
Thelymitra orientalis
R.J.Bates[1]

Thelymitra orientalis is a rare species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to southern continental Australia. It has a single thread-like, cylindrical leaf and a single deep blue, streaked flower. It is similar to T. mucida but is distinguished from that species by its filiform leaf and smaller flower.

Description

Thelymitra orientalis is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single thread-like, cylindrical leaf about 50 mm (2 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide with a red base. A single deep blue flower with 6 to 8 darker streaks, up to 10 mm (0.4 in) wide is borne on a flowering stem up to 100 mm (4 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) wide. The column is a rich purple colour, 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther is black with a yellow tip divided into two parts with wavy edges. The side lobes have a few yellow hairs. Flowering occurs between late October and early-November and the flowers only open on hot days.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Thelymitra orientalis was first formally described in 2010 by Robert Bates from a specimen he collected in The Marshes Native Forest Reserve near Millicent in 2003. The description was published in the Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden.[4] The specific epithet (orientalis) is a Latin word meaning "of the east",[5] referring to fact that this orchid is related to T. mucida which is mainly a Western Australian species.[2]

Distribution and habitat

This thelymitra grows in damp heath in high rainfall areas. It is found in western Victoria and the far south-east of South Australia.[2][3]

References

  1. ↑ "Thelymitra orientalis". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. 1 2 3 Bates, Robert J. (2010). "The Thelymitra pauciflora R.Br. complex (Orchidaceae) in South Australia with the description of seven new taxa" (PDF). Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden. 24: 28–308. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  3. 1 2 Jeanes, Jeff; Stajsic, Val. "Thelymitra orientalis". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  4. ↑ "Thelymitra orientalis". APNI. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  5. ↑ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 291.
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