Spotted Sun Orchid
Thelymitra ixioides
Synonyms
- Thelymitra ixioides
- Thelymitra lilacina
- Thelymitra iridioides
Notes
The Spotted Sun Orchid (also known as the Dotted Sun Orchid) is one of the most common and widespread Sun Orchids of Australia and named after the numerous dark spots that usually cover the flowers. Some specimens lack the characteristic spots and are just plain blue, making their identification more difficult. However, the Spotted Sun Orchid can be readily distinguished from similar species of Sun Orchid by the characteristic shape of the column.
The Spotted Sun Orchid grows in forests, woodland and heath, usually flowering in late winter and early spring. The species is found from south-eastern SA across southern and eastern VIC, the ACT and eastern NSW into far south-eastern QLD. It also occurs in parts of TAS and New Zealand. In Australia, Spotted Sun Orchids are pollinated by native bees of the genus Lasioglossum and Exoneura (Sydes & Calder 1993).
Photos
References
- Sydes, M. A. & Calder, D. M., 1993, Australian Journal of Botany, 41, 577
- Thelymitra ixioides in the Australian Plant Name Index
- Thelymitra ixioides in the Atlas of Living Australia
- Thelymitra ixioides in the Electronic Flora of South Australia
- Thelymitra ixioides in the Flora of Victoria
- Thelymitra ixioides in the New South Wales Flora Online