Thelymitra × macmillanii

Thelymitra × macmillanii, commonly called the red sun orchid[2] or crimson sun orchid[3] is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single tapering, channelled leaf and up to five bright red, sometimes yellow flowers. It is a natural hybrid between T. antennifera and T. carnea or T. rubra.

Red sun orchid
Thelymitra × macmillanii growing near Bendigo
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Thelymitra
Species:
T. × macmillanii
Binomial name
Thelymitra × macmillanii
Synonyms[1]

Description

Thelymitra × macmillanii is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single channelled, tapering linear leaf 50–210 mm (2–8 in) long and 2–5 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide. Up to six bright red, sometimes yellow flowers 20–40 mm (0.8–2 in) wide are arranged on a flowering stem 100–300 mm (4–10 in) tall. There are one or two bracts along the flowering stem. The sepals and petals are 12–20 mm (0.5–0.8 in) long. The column is the same colour as the petals, oval and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long. The lobe on the top of the anther is very small and warty. The side lobes are variable but mostly 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long and rough or warty all over. Flowering occurs from August to September.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Thelymitra × macmillanii was first formally described in 1865 by Ferdinand von Mueller from a specimen collected near Mount Eliza and Mount Martha, and the description was published in Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.[4][5] The specific epithet (x macmillanii) honours "T.McMillan" who collected the type specimen.[5]

Distribution and habitat

The red sun orchid grows in grassland, woodland and forest where its parent species grow together. It is found in central and western Victoria and in the south-east of South Australia.[2][3]

References
  1. "Thelymitra x macmillanii". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 257. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. Jeanes, Jeff. "Thelymitra x macmillanii". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  4. "Thelymitra x macmillanii". APNI. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  5. von Mueller, Ferdinand (1865). Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae (Volume 5). Melbourne. p. 93. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
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