Thelymitra sp.

A Sun Orchid at Acton, ACT

Thelymitra sp. at Acton, ACT - 4 Nov 2020
Thelymitra sp. at Acton, ACT - 4 Nov 2020
Thelymitra sp. at Acton, ACT - 4 Nov 2020
Thelymitra sp. at Acton, ACT - 4 Nov 2020
Thelymitra sp. at Acton, ACT - 4 Nov 2020
Request use of media

Identification history

Thelymitra sp. 6 Feb 2021 MattM
Thelymitra brevifolia 4 Nov 2020 shoko

Identify this sighting


Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

9 comments

MattM wrote:
   4 Nov 2020
The leaf looks a bit long for T. brevifolia. To me the column looks blue in colour, and the column arms appear to be bent up sharply (but it's a bit hard to tell) which leads me to thinking this is T. arenaria. I am always open to comments and suggestions.
shoko wrote:
   4 Nov 2020
Thanks for your suggestion Matt. I've loaded another photo of the flower with a slightly more upright angle, though it's still diagonal and not side-on. I tried loading another side-on image but it didn't want to load, I might just send it to you to separately for consideration. You're right the column arms do look like they're bent quite sharply upwards, and the column body does seem to look slightly larger compared to the post-anther lobe. T. brevifolia might have a slightly larger post-anther lobe in relation to the column body?
MattM wrote:
   4 Nov 2020
Actually it could be T. brevifolia. The leaf looks very similar this other plant your reported: Thelymitra brevifolia (Short-leaf Sun Orchid)
There is so much overlap between the characteristics they are a nightmare to ID. It doesn't help that they all look the same hahaha!
TobiasHayashi wrote:
   5 Nov 2020
Or Thely peniculata?
shoko wrote:
   5 Nov 2020
Thanks for chiming in Tobias. I think the leaf was more flat than channelled, slightly ribbed on the abaxial side. But then I don't think I've seen either peniculata or arenaria before, so I can't tell if this flower/plant looks different to them. Pity it's cold and overcast today, otherwise I'd go back and check on the flower..
MattM wrote:
   5 Nov 2020
Oh yeah. Peniculata could be a good option.
TobiasHayashi wrote:
   30 Nov 2020
Just looking at this again in a bit more detail. I don't reckon T brevifolia as I don't think the leaf is quite right and also the flowers look larger than for that species. I'm thinking maybe T arenaria given the leaf, although the hairs on the lateral lobes do seem a bit short for arenaria
TobiasHayashi wrote:
   30 Nov 2020
Oh and post anther lobe doesn't seem as notched as normal peniculata
shoko wrote:
   30 Nov 2020
I agree it's not peniculata based on the post-anther lobe not notched as deep. Is the midlobe of brevifolia usually taller and slimmer (i.e. not inflated) in relation to the post-anther lobe? And is the post-anther lobe of brevifolia usually more deeply slit?

Please Login or Register to comment.

Location information

Sighting information

  • 4 - 15 Abundance
  • 4 Nov 2020 01:45 PM Recorded on
  • shoko Recorded by

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
2,153,789 sightings of 19,949 species in 6,493 locations from 11,438 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.