Thelymitra erosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Striped sun orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thelymitra
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| Species: |
erosa
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The Thelymitra erosa, also known as the striped sun orchid, is a special type of orchid. You can only find it growing in Tasmania, Australia. This orchid has one tall, thick, dark green leaf. It also grows up to eight beautiful flowers. These flowers are usually dark blue, purple, or pink, and they have darker lines, like stripes!
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About the Striped Sun Orchid
The striped sun orchid is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows from a tuber, which is like a small underground storage part. The plant has one thick, dark green leaf. This leaf can be from 100 mm (3.9 in) to 300 mm (12 in) long. It is also about 8 mm (0.31 in) to 12 mm (0.47 in) wide.
What the Flowers Look Like
The striped sun orchid can have up to eight flowers. They grow on a stem that can be 150 mm (5.9 in) to 500 mm (20 in) tall. Each flower is about 20 mm (0.79 in) to 40 mm (1.6 in) wide. Their colors range from dark blue to purplish-blue or pink. They often have darker lines, like veins, on their petals and sepals. These parts are about 8 mm (0.31 in) to 18 mm (0.71 in) long.
The center part of the flower is called the column. It is white to light blue with a darker band. This column is about 5 mm (0.20 in) to 6.5 mm (0.26 in) long. The parts on the side of the column are white or yellow. They have uneven, wavy edges.
When it Flowers
You can see these orchids bloom from October to December. They flower even more after a bushfire happened the summer before. Small insects help pollinate these flowers. The flowers usually open up on warm, sunny days.
Naming the Striped Sun Orchid
The scientific name for this orchid is Thelymitra erosa. It was first officially described in 1998. Two botanists, David Jones and Mark Clements, gave it this name. They found a sample near Blackmans Bay.
The word erosa comes from Latin. It means "eaten away" or "corroded." This name refers to the wavy, uneven edges of the column arms inside the flower.
Where the Striped Sun Orchid Lives
The striped sun orchid grows in special areas called coastal heath. It likes moist places. You can often find it growing along the edges of walking tracks. As mentioned, this orchid is only found in Tasmania.
