Thelymitra merraniae

Thelymitra merraniae, known as Thelymitra × merraniae by some Australian authorities,[2] and commonly called Merran's sun orchid,[3] is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single tapering, fleshy, channelled, dark green leaf and up to six dark blue to purplish flowers. It is a possibly a natural hybrid but its parentage is uncertain.

Merran's sun orchid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Thelymitra
Species:
T. merraniae
Binomial name
Thelymitra merraniae
Synonyms[1]
  • Thelymitra ixioides f. merraniae (Nicholls) Nicholls

Description

Thelymitra merraniae is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single dark green, fleshy, channelled, tapering linear to lance-shaped leaf 150–200 mm (6–8 in) long and 3–8 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide with a reddish base. Up to six dark blue to purplish flowers with darker spots, 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) wide are arranged on a flowering stem 150–400 mm (6–20 in) tall. There are one two bracts along the flowering stem. The sepals and petals are 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long and the column is pale blue to purplish and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. The lobe on the top of the anther is more or less square with a wavy yellow top and a wavy back. The side lobes have a tuft of shaggy, cream-coloured hairs. Flowering occurs from October to November.[3][2][4]

Taxonomy and naming

Thelymitra merraniae was first formally described in 1929 by William Henry Nicholls from a specimen collected near Aireys Inlet and the description was published in The Victorian Naturalist.[5][6][7] (Some authorities regard this orchid as a natural hybrid and give it the name Thelymitra xmerraniae).[8] The specific epithet (merraniae) honours "Mrs. Merran Sutherland" who collected the type specimen.[6]

Distribution and habitat

Merran's sun orchid grows in heath and woodland. It is widespread but rare, occurring in coastal New South Wales, southern Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.[2][3][4]

References
  1. "Thelymitra merraniae". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. Jeanes, Jeff; Stajsic, Val. "Thelymitra x merraniae". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  3. 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 978-1877069123.
  4. "Thelymitra merraciae". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  5. "Thelymitra merraniae". APNI. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  6. Nicholls, William H. (1946). "A new species of Thelymitra R.Br. (Orchidaceae)". The Victorian Naturalist. 63: 126–128. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  7. Nicholls, William H. (1929). "A new species of Thelymitra". The Victorian Naturalist. 46: 139–141. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  8. "Thelymitra xmerraniae". APNI. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
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