Wandoo Sun Orchid
Thelymitra latiloba
Notes
The Wandoo Sun Orchid is a relatively uncommon species that occurs in scattered populations across parts of the western and central Wheatbelt region of WA. As its common name suggests, the species is found in dry Wandoo woodland where the orchids usually grow in lateritic soil in deep leaf litter, with little other vegetation around. Flowering in October, the Wandoo Sun Orchid is often accompanied by the Frog Greenhood (Pterostylis sargentii), the Wandoo Beard Orchid (Calochilus stramenicola) and the Shy Sun Orchid (Thelymitra graminea).
While similar in appearance to other blue-coloured Sun Orchids, the Wandoo Sun Orchid is easily recognised by its striped flowers and unique column. It is closely related to, and could potentially be confused with, the similar Shirt Orchid (Thelymitra campanulata), Blue Sun Orchid (Thelymitra canaliculata) and Western Azure Sun Orchid (Thelymitra occidentalis). However, the Wandoo Sun Orchid is easily distinguished from these species by its different geographic range, dry Wandoo woodland habitat and small differences in colouration and column morphology.
Photos
References
- Thelymitra latiloba in the Australian Plant Name Index
- Thelymitra latiloba in the Atlas of Living Australia
- Thelymitra latiloba in the Western Australian FloraBase