Species of orchid
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Thelymitra brevifolia, commonly called the peppertop sun orchid or short-leaf sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single erect, relatively short and broad, dark green leaf and up to twenty purplish or purplish blue flowers. It is a common and widespread self-pollinating species occurring in a wide range of habitats.
Description.
"Thelymitra brevifolia" is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single erect, dark green, linear to lance-shaped leaf long and wide often with reddish blotches. Between two and twenty purplish or purplish blue flowers wide are arranged on a flowering stem tall. The sepals and petals are long and wide. The column is pale blue or pale pink, long and wide. The lobe on the top of the anther varies in colour from yellow to black with a yellow tip and is scarcely inflated. The side lobes curve gently upwards and have mop-like tufts of white hairs. Flowering occurs from September to November but the flowers are self-pollinating and only open on hot days, and then only slowly.
Taxonomy and naming.
"Thelymitra brevifolia" was first formally described in 2004 by Jeff Jeanes and the description was published in "Muelleria" from a specimen collected in St Andrews. The specific epithet ("brevifolia") means "short-leaved".
Distribution and habitat.
The peppertop sun orchid is widespread and locally common in the south-east of New South Wales, in Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, south-eastern South Australia and on the north and east coasts of Tasmania. It grows in a wide range of habitats from heath to forest and woodland, often growing in disturbed sites.
References.
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