Thelymitra flexuosa
Endl. Twisted Sun-orchidFlowering stem erect, flexuose, wiry, conspicuously bent above sheathing part of leaf and bracts, 10–35 cm long, 0.5–1.5 mm diam., green to reddish. Leaf linear-attenuate, 5–20 cm long, c. 1 mm wide, con-duplicate. Inflorescence 1–2(–4)-flowered. Sterile bracts 2. Perianth segments ovate, 5–7 mm long, cream to canary-yellow; sepals firmer than petals, brownish on outer surface. Column ovoid, 3–5 cm long, whitish-cream to light yellow; mid-lobe slightly developed, small, dark reddish or brownish, non-hooding, edges expanded into small, finely toothed, rounded lateral lobes, 0.3–0.5 mm high. Anther prominent, terminated by ovoid, yellow swelling, densely covered with short papillae. Flowers Oct.–Nov.
LoM, Wim, GleP, VVP, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, OtR, Strz. Also WA, SA, Tas. Common on wet swampy ground but also in heathland and mallee-scrub. Flowers Oct.-Nov. Common on wet swampy ground, but also in heathland, woodland and mallee scrub.
Flowers open tardily only on hot humid days, are often long-lasting and primarily self-pollinating.
Forms hybrids with members of the T. nuda/T. pauciflora complex and with T. rubra and T. carnea.
Weber, J.Z.; Entwisle, T.J. (1994). Thelymitra. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 840–854. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
