Biology:Thelymitra frenchii
| Scarp sun orchid | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Thelymitra |
| Species: | T. frenchii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Thelymitra frenchii Jeanes
| |
Thelymitra frenchii, commonly called the scarp sun orchid[1] or Jarrahdale sun orchid,[2] is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single long, fleshy leaf and up to three relatively small, blue flowers.
Description
Thelymitra frenchii is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single channelled, fleshy, pale green, linear to lance-shaped leaf 60–120 mm (2–5 in) long and 5–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) wide. Up to three blue flowers, 18–25 mm (0.7–1 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 50–140 mm (2–6 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long and 3.5–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The column is bluish to pinkish, about 5 mm (0.2 in) long and 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther is 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide, mostly yellow with a narrow purplish band and a broad, shallow notch. The side lobes have toothbrush-like tufts of white hairs. The flowers remain open even in cool weather and until late in the day. Flowering has only been observed in October.[1][2][3][4]
Taxonomy and naming
Thelymitra frenchii was first formally described in 2004 by Jeff Jeanes from a specimen collected near Jarrahdale and the description was published in Muelleria.[5] The specific epithet (frenchii) honours "Christopher (Chris) J. French" for his assistance to the author.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The scarp sun orchid grows in soil pockets on granite outcrops in jarrah forest. It is only known from near Jarrahdale in the Jarrah Forest biogeographic region.[3][6]
Conservation
Thelymitra frenchii is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 442. ISBN 9780980296457.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. pp. 229–230. ISBN 1877069124.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Jeanes, Jeffrey A. (2004). "A revision of the Thelymitra pauciflora R.Br. (Orchidaceae) complex in Australia". Muelleria 19: 66–67. https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/documents/Muelleria_19,_p19-79,_Jeanes,_Thelymitra_pauciflora_complex.pdf. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
- ↑ Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia. (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 319. ISBN 9780646562322.
- ↑ "Thelymitra frenchii". APNI. https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/589779. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Thelymitra frenchii". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/23991.
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q15469084 entry
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