Thelymitra peniculata
JeanesFlowering stem erect, straight, 20–50(–66) cm tall, 1–3.5 mm diam., green to purplish. Leaf linear, attenuate, 14–25(–44) cm long, 5–12 mm wide, fleshy, canaliculate, ribbed abaxially, sheathing at base, dark green with a purplish base. Inflorescence 4–10(–18)-flowered, open. Sterile bracts usually 2, rarely 1 or 3. Perianth segments lanceolate to ovate, 6–10(–12) mm long, rich purplish. Column 5–6.5 mm long, pink or purplish at base; mid-lobe expanded into a hood over the anther, tubular, often somewhat dorsally compressed, curving abruptly through c. 90 deg. yellow with a dark brown to almost black collar, apex usually deeply bilobed; lateral lobes converging or more or less parallel, 1.2–1.5 mm long, digitiform, porrect at base then curved gently upwards, each with a sub-terminal mop-like tuft of white hairs terminating in front of the mid-lobe. Anther inserted above centre of column, shortly beaked. Flowers Sep.–Nov.
Wim, GleP, VVP, VRiv, GipP, WaP, Gold, CVU, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, HSF, HNF, Strz, MonT, VAlp. Also SA, NSW, ACT, Tas. Common and widespread in grassland, heathland, grassy woodland and open forests from near sea-level to montane areas.
Widespread in south-eastern Australia.
Flowers are self-pollinating and only open on warm, humid days.