Thelymitra paludosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plain sun orchid |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thelymitra
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| Species: |
paludosa
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The plain sun orchid (Thelymitra paludosa) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in Western Australia. This plant has one tall, dark green leaf. It also has beautiful blue or violet flowers. You can find it in places that get a lot of rain, especially near the south coast.
What the Plain Sun Orchid Looks Like
The plain sun orchid is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from a round underground part called a tuber. Think of a tuber like a small potato! This orchid has one strong, dark green leaf. The leaf is long and narrow, like a spear. It can be from 140 to 500 millimeters (about 5.5 to 19.5 inches) long. It is also about 5 to 15 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.6 inches) wide. The bottom part of the leaf is often a bit purple.
This orchid grows a tall flower stem. The stem can be 200 to 900 millimeters (about 8 to 35 inches) tall. On this stem, you'll see between two and ten or more flowers. The flowers are usually blue or violet. Sometimes, they can be pink or white. Each flower is about 18 to 45 millimeters (about 0.7 to 1.8 inches) wide.
The parts of the flower that look like petals are called sepals and petals. They are about 8 to 20 millimeters long. Inside the flower, there's a special part called the column. It's pale blue or pinkish. The top part of the column has a dark brown tip. The sides of the column have white, hair-like tufts. These look a bit like tiny toothbrushes! This orchid usually blooms from mid-October to December.
How the Plain Sun Orchid Got Its Name
The plain sun orchid was officially named in 2013. A scientist named Jeff Jeanes gave it its scientific name, Thelymitra paludosa. He wrote about it in a science magazine called Muelleria. He found a sample of the plant near a town called Esperance.
The second part of its name, paludosa, is a Latin word. It means "swampy" or "marshy." This name was chosen because this orchid loves to grow in wet, swampy places.
Where the Plain Sun Orchid Lives
You can find the plain sun orchid in places that get a lot of rain. It grows in forests and around the edges of swamps. These swamps are often wet during the winter. This orchid lives in Western Australia, in an area between Bunbury and Esperance.
