Common name: Fairy Lanterns
Thismia rodwayi F.Muell. APNI* 
Description: Small ± subterranean achlorophyllous herb, c. 5 cm high, colourless, glabrous; roots vermiform.
Leaves scale-like, narrow- to broad-ovate, 1–10 mm long, 1–3 mm wide, hyaline or white.
Flowers borne just above the soil surface, solitary, subtended by 3, ± lanceolate bracts; hypanthium cylindrical to ± urceolate, 6–13 mm long, 6–12 mm diam., with throat c. 3 mm diam.; perianth lobes 6 in 2 whorls, inserted at same level on hypanthium; outer lobes spreading, ovate to triangular, 2–6 mm long 1–3 mm wide, pinkish orange, apex acute; inner lobes forming a mitre by overlapping apices; mitral processes terminal, spreading or appressed to mitre, <5 mm long. Stamens 6; terminal bristle of anther simple; filaments broad, dark red-orange. Style short, thick, 3-fid.
Capsule fleshy, cup-shaped.
Flowering: October–March
Distribution and occurrence: Rare; known from near Bundanoon and Blue Mountains (CT); also recorded for Werrikimbe National Park (Northern Tablelands). Probably more common but overlooked because of its small size and possible confusion with red-orange small fungi. Grows in shaded forest, often concealed in damp humus or leaf litter.
NSW subdivisions: CT, NT
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. Tas.
Previously in Burmanniaceae.
Text by D. J. Bedford & A. J. Whalen (1993); edited by K Wilson (2004; Jan 2012)
Taxon concept: DJ Bedford and AJ Whalen, Flora of NSW 4: 132 (1993)
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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