Thelymitra sp.

A Sun Orchid at Hawker, ACT

Thelymitra sp. at Hawker, ACT - 30 Oct 2021
Thelymitra sp. at Hawker, ACT - 30 Oct 2021
Thelymitra sp. at Hawker, ACT - 30 Oct 2021
Thelymitra sp. at Hawker, ACT - 30 Oct 2021
Thelymitra sp. at Hawker, ACT - 30 Oct 2021
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Identification history

Thelymitra sp. 27 Oct 2021 TobiasHayashi
Thelymitra sp. 26 Oct 2021 AlisonMilton

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User's notes

In bud. Near to a known site.

8 comments

AlisonMilton wrote:
   27 Oct 2021
@TobiasHayashi Same orchid in flower today. Are you able to identify further?
TobiasHayashi wrote:
   28 Oct 2021
I don't have my reference books with me so I'm a little stuck on Thelymitra ID at the moment. Anyone else? A photo of the leaf can be handy in identifying some species too.
MattM wrote:
   28 Oct 2021
@TobiasHayashi I tried to key a bunch of Thelymitra the other day using the VICflora key. Brevifolia is split from pauciflora and peniculata based on leaf width. Pauciflora and peniculata are split based on number of flowers and the column apex often being bilobed in peniculata (although brevifolia is often bilobed). I think this looks like the pauciflora complex so I would be inclined to call this brevifolia or peniculata. I can email you some photos of the Thelymitra pages later.
AlisonMilton wrote:
   28 Oct 2021
Thanks Matt. I'll try to get a shot of the leaf. Both Thelymitra pauciflora, Slender sun orchid and Thelymitra peniculata, Trim sun orchid have been recorded at The Pinncale.
MattM wrote:
   28 Oct 2021
Thanks Alison. If you could also measure the width and length of the leaf that would also be appreciated. Hopefully then we can get an ID on this one.
AlisonMilton wrote:
   28 Oct 2021
Thanks Matt, There are at least five sites for Sun orchids at The Pinnicle (Western end at least). Whether they are all the same species would be interesting.
AlisonMilton wrote:
   31 Oct 2021
@MattM I've added a photo of the leaf. Broad and very long. Sorry, I didn't have a tape measure with me.
TobiasHayashi wrote:
   1 Nov 2021
Thanks for adding Alison. Doesn't look like pauciflora to me (column arms not upcurved, leaf seems rather long and flat), I don't think the leaf is broad or short for brevifolia, and its not one of the larger ones (nuda/megcalyptra/alpina). So that I think leaves T peniculata or T arenaria - the latter is supposed to have quite a long leaf and the post-anther lobe doesn't seem to be grooved or flattened like peniculata but my degree of confidence here is not very high

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 2 Abundance
  • 30 Oct 2021 10:15 AM Recorded on
  • AlisonMilton Recorded by

Additional information

  • 30cm to 1 metre Plant height

Species information

Record quality

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  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
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