Common name: Scented Sun Orchid
Thelymitra megcalyptra Fitzg. APNI* Synonyms: Thelymitra megacalyptra Fitzg. APNI*
Description: Terrestrial herb.
Leaf lanceolate, to 10–30 cm long, 15–25 mm wide, erect, thick, ribbed, dark green and often reddish at base.
Inflorescence to 60 cm high, 2–25-flowered. Perianth segments to 23 long and 8 mm wide, untidily overlapping, deep blue, fragrant. Column to 7 mm long, white to blue. Midlobe hood much expanded, elongated, deeply cleft (pincer-like to cloven hoof), dark brown to blackish. Lateral arms projected forward and with brushy, white tufts.
Flowering: October–November
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in woodland and shallow clay soils often forming large colonies; south from Mt Kaputar N.P.
NSW subdivisions: NT, ST, CWS, SWS, SWP
Other Australian states: Vic.
Mitra characters of this species may grade into populations of T. nuda.
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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