Collared sun orchid facts for kids
The collared sun orchid (Thelymitra simulata) is a special type of orchid flower. It grows only in south-eastern Australia. This beautiful plant has a single thick leaf and can have up to six blue flowers. These flowers often have small, darker spots. You can find them growing in places that are high up, like mountains. The flowers have a unique purple part with a yellow tip on top of their pollen-carrying structure.
Quick facts for kids Collared sun orchid |
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| Thelymitra simulata in Namadgi National Park | |
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| Genus: |
Thelymitra
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| Species: |
simulata
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Contents
What Does the Collared Sun Orchid Look Like?
The collared sun orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber. A tuber is like a small, round storage part underground. It is also a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. This orchid is a herb, meaning it has soft stems, not woody ones.
It has one thick, grooved leaf. This leaf is usually long and narrow, like a spear tip. It measures about 100 to 150 millimeters (4 to 6 inches) long. The leaf is also about 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.12 inches) wide. Its base often has a reddish color.
The Flowers of the Collared Sun Orchid
The plant can have up to six blue flowers. These flowers often have darker spots on them. Each flower is about 20 to 25 millimeters (0.8 to 1 inch) wide. They grow on a tall stem that can be 200 to 560 millimeters (8 to 22 inches) high.
The outer parts of the flower, called sepals and petals, are about 10 to 13 millimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long. They are also about 7 to 8 millimeters (0.28 to 0.31 inches) wide. The central part of the flower, called the column, is bluish-white. It is about 6 to 7 millimeters (0.24 to 0.28 inches) long and 3 to 4 millimeters (0.12 to 0.16 inches) wide.
On top of the anther (the part that holds pollen), there is a brownish-purple lobe. This lobe has a yellow tip and small teeth. The side parts of the column have white, mop-like tufts of hair.
When Do They Bloom?
These orchids usually flower in December and January. Their flowers are special because they are self-pollinated. This means they can make seeds using their own pollen. The flowers only open up on very hot days.
How the Collared Sun Orchid Got Its Name
The scientific name for the collared sun orchid is Thelymitra simulata. It was first officially described in 1998. A botanist named David Jones gave it this name. He wrote about it in a scientific book called Australian Orchid Research.
The second part of its name, simulata, comes from a Latin word. It means "imitate" or "copy." This name was chosen because this orchid looks very similar to another type of orchid called Thelymitra × truncata.
Where Does the Collared Sun Orchid Live?
The collared sun orchid grows in high-altitude areas. These areas include montane (mountain) and subalpine (just below the tree line) regions. You can find it in grasslands, woodlands, and forests.
It lives in several parts of Australia:
