Thelymitra ixioides
Sw.
Dotted sun orchid, Spotted Sun Orchid
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(c) Reiner Richter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Reiner Richter
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(c) Toby Eccles, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaThelymitra ixioides, known as spotted sun orchid or dotted sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is native to southern and eastern Australia and to New Zealand. It has a single long, thin, dark green leaf and up to ten flowers which occur in a range of colours, most commonly blue to purple but usually with small, dark blue spots. It is a variable species, similar to T. juncifolia which has smaller flowers.
Description
A slender orchid. The leaf is narrow and sword shaped. It is 20-30 cm long by 10-15 mm wide. The leaf is fleshy. The edges can be rounded and thickened. The flowering stem can be 20-70 cm long. The flowers can be blue to deep purple. They can also be mauve or pink. The often have small dark spots.
Edible Uses
The tubers and roots are edible.
Distribution
It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. It is most common in heathland and scrubby open forest. It needs a well-composted, well-drained soil. It needs a protected, shady position. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.
Where It Grows
Australia*, Tasmania*,
Cultivation
It can be grown by division.
Notes
There are about 70 Thelymitra species mostly in Australia and the Pacific.
References (14)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 977
- Cameron, M., (Ed.) 1981, A Guide to Flowers & Plants of Tasmania. Reed p 60
- Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 197
- Collier, P., 1993, Orchids of Tasmania. Plant Identikit. Society for growing Australian Plants. Tasmania. p 76
- Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 76
Show all 14 references Hide references
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1410
- Dashorst, G.R.M., and Jessop, J.P., 1998, Plants of the Adelaide Plains & Hills. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium. p 206
- Grieg, D., 2002, A photographic guide to Wildflowers of South-eastern Australia. New Holland. p 95
- Jones, D., Wapstra, H., Tonelli, P., and Harris S., 1999, The Orchids of Tasmania. Miegunyah Press, MUP, Victoria, Australia. p 276
- Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 81
- Minchin, R.F., Tasmanian Wildflowers. A Field Guide. Volume one. Regal Publications, Launceston p 22
- Pearson, S. & A., 1992, Rainforest Plants of Eastern Australia. Kangaroo Press p 203
- Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 78
- Zola, N., & Gott, B., 1992, Koorie Plants Koorie People. Koorie Heritage Trust. p 46
