Northern sun orchid facts for kids

The northern sun orchid (scientific name: Thelymitra queenslandica) is a special type of orchid. It only grows in Queensland, Australia. This orchid has a single long leaf, like a blade of grass. Its flowers are usually dark blue or purple. Sometimes, they can be white or pink. The flowers have cool white or pink fluffy bits on top of their central part. You can easily spot this orchid because it grows in the northern parts of Queensland. It also flowers earlier than many other orchids.

What Does the Northern Sun Orchid Look Like?

The northern sun orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber (like a small underground potato). It's a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years and has soft stems. It has one upright, green leaf. This leaf is long and narrow, like a spear. It can be from 150–500 mm (6–20 in) long and 5–15 mm (0.2–0.6 in) wide. The bottom of the leaf is often purplish.

This orchid grows a flowering stem that can be 200–600 mm (8–20 in) tall. On this stem, you'll find between four and fifteen flowers. The flowers are usually dark blue or purple. But sometimes, they can be white or pink. Each flower is about 25–40 mm (1–2 in) wide.

The outer parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, are 10–20 mm (0.4–0.8 in) long and 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide. The central part of the flower, called the column, is pale blue to pinkish. It is about 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide. The top part of the anther (where pollen is made) is tan or brown with a yellow tip. The side parts of the column curve upwards. They have fuzzy, mop-like tufts of white or pink hairs.

These flowers last a long time. They are pollinated by insects. The flowers only open on warm, sunny days. You can see them flowering from June to September.

How Did It Get Its Name?

The northern sun orchid was first officially described in 2013. A botanist named Jeff Jeanes gave it its formal scientific name, Thelymitra queenslandica. He described it from a plant collected near Herberton. This plant was found by another botanist, David Jones. The description was published in a science journal called Muelleria.

The second part of its scientific name, queenslandica, tells us something important. It means "from Queensland." This is because the plant is only found in the state of Queensland.

Where Does It Grow?

The northern sun orchid mostly grows on slopes covered with forests. You can find it in Queensland, Australia. Its range stretches from Paluma all the way up to Mount Finnigan.