Thelymitra orientalis
| Thelymitra orientalis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Subtribe: | Thelymitrinae |
| Genus: | Thelymitra |
| Species: | T. orientalis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Thelymitra orientalis | |
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
- ^ "Thelymitra orientalis". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b Jeanes, Jeff; Stajsic, Val. "Thelymitra orientalis". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Thelymitra orientalis". APNI. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 291.