Thelymitra brevifolia, commonly called the peppertop sun orchid or short-leaf sun orchid,[2] is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single erect, relatively short and broad, dark green leaf and up to twenty purplish or purplish blue flowers. It is a common and widespread self-pollinating species occurring in a wide range of habitats.
| Peppertop sun orchid | |
|---|---|
| |
| Thelymitra brevifolia in the Aranda Bushland | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Thelymitra |
| Species: | T. brevifolia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Thelymitra brevifolia | |
Description edit
Thelymitra brevifolia is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single erect, dark green, linear to lance-shaped leaf 100–260 mm (4–10 in) long and 7–20 mm (0.3–0.8 in) wide often with reddish blotches. Between two and twenty purplish or purplish blue flowers 12–22 mm (0.5–0.9 in) wide are arranged on a flowering stem 250–600 mm (10–20 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 6–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long and 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The column is pale blue or pale pink, 4–5.5 mm (0.16–0.22 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther varies in colour from yellow to black with a yellow tip and is scarcely inflated. The side lobes curve gently upwards and have mop-like tufts of white hairs. Flowering occurs from September to November but the flowers are self-pollinating and only open on hot days, and then only slowly.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy and naming edit
Thelymitra brevifolia was first formally described in 2004 by Jeff Jeanes and the description was published in Muelleria from a specimen collected in St Andrews.[5] The specific epithet (brevifolia) means "short-leaved".[6]
Distribution and habitat edit
The peppertop sun orchid is widespread and locally common in the south-east of New South Wales, in Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, south-eastern South Australia and on the north and east coasts of Tasmania. It grows in a wide range of habitats from heath to forest and woodland, often growing in disturbed sites.[2][3][4]
References edit
- ^ "Thelymitra brevifolia". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- ^ a b c Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 234. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ a b Jeanes, Jeffrey A. (2004). "A revision of the Thelymitra pauciflora R.Br. (Orchidaceae) complex in Australia" (PDF). Muelleria. 19: 30–33. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
- ^ a b Jeanes, Jeff; Stajsic, Val. "Thelymitra brevifolia". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
- ^ "Thelymitra brevifolia". APNI. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 150. ISBN 9780958034180.
External links edit
Media related to Thelymitra brevifolia at Wikimedia Commons
