Tiny sun orchid facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tiny sun orchid
Scientific classification
Genus:	Thelymitra
Species:	carnea

The Thelymitra carnea, also known as the tiny sun orchid or pinkish sun orchid, is a type of orchid. It grows naturally in Australia and New Zealand. This orchid has thin, tube-like leaves and can have up to four small, pink flowers. These flowers grow on a stem that looks a bit zig-zag.

What it Looks Like

The tiny sun orchid is a plant that grows from a round underground stem called a tuber. It is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for many years and has soft stems. It has one narrow leaf that is about 60 to 150 mm (2.4 to 5.9 in) long and 1 to 1.5 mm (0.039 to 0.059 in) wide. This leaf is shaped a bit like a tube.

Flowers

The orchid can have up to four flowers. They are pale to deep pink and about 8 to 15 mm (0.31 to 0.59 in) wide. These flowers grow on a thin, zig-zag stem that can be 200 to 350 mm (7.9 to 13.8 in) tall.

The parts of the flower that look like petals, called sepals and petals, are 5 to 7 mm (0.20 to 0.28 in) long. In the middle of the flower is a special part called the column. It is cream-coloured to reddish and about 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 in) long. The top part of the anther, which holds the pollen, is short, yellow, and pointy. The side parts are also yellow and have small, blunt teeth.

The flowers usually open on sunny, humid days. Sometimes, they can even pollinate themselves, meaning they can make seeds without needing help from insects. This orchid blooms from September to November.

How it Got its Name

The tiny sun orchid was first officially described in 1810 by a botanist named Robert Brown. He wrote about it in his book Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen. The second part of its scientific name, carnea, is a Latin word. It means "of flesh" or "fleshy," probably because of the pink colour of its flowers.

Where it Lives

The tiny sun orchid is quite common and can be found in many places. It often grows in damp areas where there are small shrubs, grasses, and sedges. However, it can also grow in drier spots in open forests.

You can find this orchid in:

• The coast and tablelands of New South Wales
• Most parts of Victoria (except the north-west)
• South-eastern Queensland
• Tasmania
• Both the North Island and South Island of New Zealand