Trim sun orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trim sun orchid |
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| Thelymitra peniculata growing near Werribee | |
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Thelymitra
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| Species: |
peniculata
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The Thelymitra peniculata, also known as the trim sun orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in southeastern Australia, which means it is endemic to that area. This orchid has one long, upright, thick leaf. It can also have up to eighteen deep blue or purple flowers. These flowers are self-pollinating, meaning they can make seeds without needing help from insects or other plants.
What Does It Look Like?
The trim sun orchid is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It grows from a tuber, which is like a small underground storage part. It has a single leaf that is dark green, thick, and shaped like a channel. This leaf can be about 14 to 40 centimeters (5.5 to 15.7 inches) long and 0.5 to 2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.8 inches) wide. The bottom part of the leaf is often purplish.
The orchid's flowers grow on a tall stem that can be 25 to 65 centimeters (9.8 to 25.6 inches) high. There can be up to eighteen flowers on one stem. Each flower is about 1.4 to 2.2 centimeters (0.6 to 0.9 inches) wide and can be deep blue or rich purple.
The flower has parts called sepals and petals, which are like the outer leaves of the flower. These are about 0.6 to 1.2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long. Inside the flower, there's a part called the column, which is pink or purplish. It's about 0.45 to 0.65 centimeters (0.18 to 0.26 inches) long.
The top part of the anther (where pollen is made) is dark brown or black with a yellow tip. It's shaped like a tube and curves sharply. The side parts of the column curve upwards and have messy, brush-like tufts of white hairs.
The trim sun orchid usually flowers from September to November. Its flowers are self-pollinating, so they don't need insects to spread pollen. They only open up on very hot days.
How It Got Its Name
The trim sun orchid was officially described in 2004 by a scientist named Jeff Jeanes. He wrote about it in a scientific journal called Muelleria. The first plant he studied was found near Narrandera in Australia.
The second part of its scientific name, peniculata, comes from a Latin word, peniculus. This word means "brush." It refers to the loose, upright tufts of hairs on the side parts of the flower's column, which look like little brushes.
Where It Lives
The trim sun orchid can be found in many different places. It grows in grasslands and forests. You can find it in New South Wales (south of Mount Kaputar), the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.
