Thelymitra juncifolia
Dotted Sun Orchid at Gundaroo, NSW
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| Thelymitra juncifolia | DerekC | 22 Nov 2022 | |
| Thelymitra juncifolia | DerekC | 13 Nov 2022 | |
| Thelymitra ixioides | MaartjeSevenster | 11 Nov 2022 |
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User's notes
I had more convincing photos of the column but accidentally deleted them. However, the flowers were all very intense mauve blue, buds per plant ranged from 2 to 7 and the stems were 40-60cm tall. This all seems to point to ixioides? The obvious T.juncifolia in the same region are all much smaller, lighter blue and with far fewer flowers per plant...
5 comments
13 Nov 2022
The first impression suggests these are T. juncifolia. Both are similar but T. ixioides flower is larger 40 mm with the postanther lobe having 2-4 rows short dark finger-like glands at the apex, and the column arms having dense hair-tufts. T. juncifolia flowers on the other hand are 35 mm, larger spots and the post-anther lobe with fewer, longer glands, in a crowded band. The column arms with sparse hair-tufts.
Both columns have auxiliary lobes which are the two yellowish tips touching between the glands on the apex and the hair-tufts. In T. ixioides these are often prominent and bright yellow, where in T. juncifolia less prominent duller orange-yellow as is seen here.
Do you know the flower size?
Considering the apparent larger spots, the presentation and number of glands (& rows), sparse hair-tufts and the auxiliary lobes, I think these are T. juncifolia.
Both columns have auxiliary lobes which are the two yellowish tips touching between the glands on the apex and the hair-tufts. In T. ixioides these are often prominent and bright yellow, where in T. juncifolia less prominent duller orange-yellow as is seen here.
Do you know the flower size?
Considering the apparent larger spots, the presentation and number of glands (& rows), sparse hair-tufts and the auxiliary lobes, I think these are T. juncifolia.
13 Nov 2022
Yes, I agree that the flowers seem much like juncifolia with exception of the colour. I was going with the other characteristics as described in Orchids of the Southern Tablelands, triggered by the huge difference this group seemed to have from other T.juncifolia in the area, but those may not be decisive. Flowers are relatively small, max 20mm I think, but all T. flowers seem on the small side this year, if opening at all...
Location information
- Maps MTR591 at Gundaroo
- Places Gundaroo, NSW
Sighting information
- 20 Abundance
- MaartjeSevenster Recorded by
- 30cm to 1 metre Plant height
- Yes In flower
Collections
Species information
- Thelymitra juncifolia Scientific name
- Dotted Sun Orchid Common name
- Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 1425m Recorded at altitude
- External link More information
Seasonal activity
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Was the plant in flower?
JFMAMJJASOND
Record quality
Quality score
6 / 7
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- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
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- Additional attributes
- GPS evidence of location