Skyblue sun orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skyblue sun orchid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thelymitra
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| Species: |
jonesii
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The Thelymitra jonesii, also known as the skyblue sun orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in Tasmania, Australia. This orchid has a single, tall, dark green leaf. It also has up to six pretty light blue flowers with darker lines. This orchid is quite rare and is found in only a few wet areas near the coast.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The skyblue sun orchid is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It has a single, thick, grass-like leaf that is usually 6 to 21 cm (2.4 to 8.3 inches) long and 3 to 6 mm (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. The base of the leaf is often a bit purple.
The plant can have up to six flowers. These flowers are light blue to bright blue with darker lines, and they are about 1.3 to 2.7 cm (0.5 to 1.1 inches) wide. They grow on a stem that can be 8 to 40 cm (3.1 to 15.7 inches) tall.
Flower Parts
The outer parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, are 6 to 13 mm (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long. They are 2 to 8 mm (0.1 to 0.3 inches) wide. The central part of the flower, called the column, is blue or purplish. It is about 3 to 5 mm (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long. It has small wing-like parts on its sides.
The top part of the anther (where pollen is made) is dark. It has a yellow, bumpy tip. The side parts have white or purplish hairs that look like mops.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
These orchids rely on insects to help them pollinate. Their flowers open up on warm, sunny days. You can usually see them flowering from September to December. They tend to flower even more after a bushfire happened the summer before.
How It Got Its Name
The skyblue sun orchid was officially named in 2001. A scientist named Jeff Jeanes first described it. He found a sample of the plant between Eaglehawk Neck and Taranna in Tasmania. His description was published in a science journal called Muelleria.
The name jonesii was given to honor another botanist, David Jones. He is also a well-known author.
Where Does It Live?
The skyblue sun orchid grows in areas with coastal heath (a type of shrubland) and forests. It has only been found in a few places in Tasmania. These include the Tasman Peninsula, Rocky Cape, Cape Barren Island, and near Southport. In recent years, it has mostly been seen only on the Tasman Peninsula.
Protecting This Orchid
In 2002, scientists estimated that there were fewer than sixty adult skyblue sun orchids left. Because of how few there are, this orchid is considered "critically endangered." This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
It is protected by two important laws:
- The Australian government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
- Tasmania's Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.
These laws help protect the orchid and its habitat.
