Common name: Dotted Sun Orchid
Thelymitra ixioides Sw. APNI* Description: Terrestrial herb.
Leaf linear to lanceolate, to 20 cm long and 10 mm wide, ribbed, dark green often reddish to base.
Inflorescence to 60 cm high, 3–9-flowered. Perianth segments <22 mm long, c. 12 mm wide, blue and rounded to pinkish and elongated (sometimes with a very short claw); sepals sometimes different shade from petals but most plants with dark spots on petals and dorsal sepal. Column to 5 mm long, erect, bluish. Midlobe with a dense rows of long, variable, colourful calli; accessory lobes columnar, erect with papillose-toothed tips. Lateral arms obliquely erect, with terminal tufts of white, pink or mauve hairs.
Flowering: Aug.–Jan.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread in heath and sclerophyll forest, from the coast to subalpine regions; inland to Blue Mtns.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. Tas. S.A.
Text by P. Bernhardt
Taxon concept:
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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