Thelymitra cornicina, commonly called the lilac sun orchid,[2] is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single narrow, pale green leaf and up to eight lilac-tinged blue flowers with the lobe on top of the anther covered with short, finger-like calli.
Thelymitra cornicina is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single pale green leaf 100–200 mm (4–8 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. Up to eight pale blue to dark blue flowers with a lilac tinge, 25–30 mm (0.98–1.2 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 200–500 mm (8–20 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The column is blue with a yellow crest, 3.5–4.5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther is short and densely covered with short, finger-like yellow glands. The side lobes have mop-like tufts of a few white to lilac hairs. The flowers are insect pollinated and open on sunny days. Flowering occurs from September to November.[2][3][4]
Thelymitra cornicina was first formally described in 1871 by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach and the description was published in Beitrage zur Systematischen Pflanzenkunde.[5] The specific epithet (cornicina) means "horn-blower", hence "horn-shaped", referring to the column.[3][6]
The lilac sun orchid grows in scrubland and forest between Perth and Hopetoun in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographic regions.[2][3][7]
Thelymitra cornicina is classified as "not threatened" in Western Australia by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[7]
Thelymitra cornicina, commonly called the lilac sun orchid, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single narrow, pale green leaf and up to eight lilac-tinged blue flowers with the lobe on top of the anther covered with short, finger-like calli.
