Yellow tufted sun orchid facts for kids
The yellow tufted sun orchid (scientific name: Thelymitra xanthotricha) is a special type of orchid that grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's known for its beautiful dark blue to purplish flowers, which can be quite large. This orchid gets its name from the tiny yellow hairs on its flowers.
Quick facts for kids Yellow tufted sun orchid |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thelymitra
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| Species: |
xanthotricha
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Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The yellow tufted sun orchid is a tuberous plant. This means it grows from a round, underground storage part, like a potato. It is also a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years and has soft, green stems.
Each orchid has one upright, thick, dark green leaf. This leaf is shaped like a line or a spear and is about 100–300 mm (4–10 in) long and 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide. Its base is often a bit purplish.
Flowers and Their Parts
The orchid's flowering stem can grow 300–500 mm (10–20 in) tall. On this stem, you might see up to six dark blue to purplish flowers. Each flower is quite big, measuring 16–34 mm (0.6–1 in) across.
The flower has parts called sepals and petals. These are about 8–17 mm (0.3–0.7 in) long and 3–8 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide. The central part of the flower, called the column, is pale blue. It is about 5–6.5 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 2.5–3.5 mm (0.098–0.14 in) wide.
The top part of the anther (where pollen is made) is dark brown with a yellow tip. It is shaped like a tube and has a notched end. The side parts of the column curve gently upwards. They have tufts of creamy yellow hairs that look a bit like a toothbrush.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
These orchids are self-pollinating. This means they can make seeds using their own pollen, without needing another plant. Their flowers open slowly, even on very warm days. You can usually see them flowering in September and October.
How It Got Its Name
The yellow tufted sun orchid was officially named Thelymitra xanthotricha in 2004. This name was given by a scientist named Jeff Jeanes.
The scientific name xanthotricha comes from two Ancient Greek words:
- xanthos means "yellow"
- trichos means "hair"
So, the name "yellow tufted sun orchid" and its scientific name both refer to the yellow hairs found on the side parts of the flower's column.
Where It Lives
The yellow tufted sun orchid grows in areas with shrubs and sedges (grass-like plants). You can find it in Western Australia, in places between Perth and Brookton. It also grows between Esperance and Condingup.
Conservation Status
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at the yellow tufted sun orchid. They have classified it as "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
