Common name: Twisted Sun Orchid
Thelymitra flexuosa Endl. APNI* Synonyms: Macdonaldia smithiana Gunn ex Lindl. APNI*
Description: Terrestrial herb.
Leaf linear to terete, to 10 cm long, wiry.
Inflorescence to 35 cm long, 1–3-flowered; peduncle reddish, wiry, flexuous. Perianth segments about 7 mm long and 4 mm wide (opening tardily), cream to pale yellow. Column to 4.5 mm long, whitish cream. Midlobe forming a narrow rim, sometimes notched, with a few brownish papillae. Lateral arms reduced to small bumps, rounded-papillose. Anther protrusive, swollen with dense, short hairs.
Flowering: September–October
Distribution and occurrence: Grows on the margins of swamps and moist places, among sedges and shrubs, in peaty soils; recorded for the Nightcap Ra.
NSW subdivisions: NC, ?SC
Other Australian states: Vic. Tas. W.A. S.A.
In N.S.W. this species is recorded from a single collection examined by Rupp over 50 years ago and the original specimen has not been seen since. The record probably represents a misidentification. It is possible it occurs in southern coastal sites.
Text by P. Bernhardt Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data ***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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