Short sun orchid facts for kids

The short sun orchid (scientific name: Thelymitra exigua) is a special type of orchid that only grows in certain parts of south-eastern Australia. It has a single, thick, dark green leaf and can grow up to eight pretty, pale blue flowers. These flowers have unique white, brush-like tufts on top of a part called the anther.

What the Short Sun Orchid Looks Like

The short sun orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber (a kind of underground stem, like a potato). It's a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years.

It has one fleshy, dark green leaf that can be from 50 to 220 millimeters (about 2 to 8.5 inches) long and 2.5 to 10 millimeters (about 0.1 to 0.4 inches) wide. The bottom part of the leaf is often a bit purplish.

This orchid can have up to eight pale blue or light purplish-blue flowers. These flowers are about 13 to 22 millimeters (about 0.5 to 0.9 inches) wide. They grow on a stem that stands 100 to 300 millimeters (about 4 to 12 inches) tall.

The parts of the flower that look like petals are called sepals and petals. They are about 5 to 11 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.4 inches) long.

Inside the flower, there's a part called the column. It's usually pale pink or purplish and is about 4 to 6 millimeters (about 0.16 to 0.24 inches) long.

The top part of the anther (where pollen is made) is gently curved. It's dark brown or black with a yellow tip. The side parts of the column curve upwards and have white, brush-like tufts of hair on top.

These orchids are self-pollinating, meaning they can pollinate themselves without needing insects. Their flowers usually only open slowly, or not at all, on warm and sunny days. You can see them flowering from September to November.

How the Short Sun Orchid Got Its Name

The short sun orchid was first officially described in 2004 by a scientist named Jeff Jeanes. He found a specimen (a sample) near a place called Woorndoo. The description was then published in a scientific journal called Muelleria.

The second part of its scientific name, exigua, comes from a Latin word. It means "small," "short," or "scanty." This name was chosen because this orchid is relatively short and stout compared to some other orchids.

Where the Short Sun Orchid Lives

The short sun orchid likes to grow in different types of open areas, such as grasslands, heaths (areas with small shrubs), and shrublands.

You can find this orchid in western Victoria, south-eastern South Australia, and in Tasmania. It also grows on King Island, which is part of Tasmania.