Thelymitra sanscilia
Common names
sun orchid
Biostatus
Native – Endemic taxon
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Orchids
Flower colours
Violet/Purple, White
Detailed description
Plant at flowering 100–400 mm tall. Leaf solitary, 100–300 × 10–15 mm, fleshy, strap-like, dark green or red-green, “v” shaped in cross-section. Inflorescence a slender spike-like raceme arising from leaf, 100–600 mm tall. Flowers (1)–3–(10), opening one at a time (if at all), and only on very still sunny days. Perianth 8–12 mm long, usually mauve, occasionally white, without stripes or spots. Sepals, petals and labellum similar, broadly ellliptic, narrowing abruptly to an acute tip. Column white, with a brown band near apex; apex hooded, usually deeply cleft. Column arms falcate, erect usually without, or occasionally possessing 1 or 2 prominent hairs. Post-anther lobe overtopping anther, brown above middle and yellow on margin, inrolled as to appear deeply cleft, the 2-halves meeting aling a midline anove the anther.
Similar taxa
Most closely allied to the New Zealand forms of T. pauciflora R.Br. from which it chiefly differs by the near absence of hairs on the column arms of the flower.
Distribution
Endemic. New Zealand: North Island (apparently confined to Northland).
Habitat
Open gumland scrub and in open ground in association with kānuka (Kunzea linearis (Kirk) de Lange et Toelken) woodland.
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – these interim threat classification statuses has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2023 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: Sp, DPR, DPS, DPT, EF
Threats
Known from a handful of sites from Te Paki to Pipiwai near Whangarei. Not common at any particular location.
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Orchidaceae
Synonyms
None. However, Flora II (Moore & Edgar 1970) regarded it as a sporadically occurring mutation of T. pauciflora.
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
September–October
Fruiting
December–January
Propagation technique
Difficult—should not be removed from the wild.
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland). If you have suggestions for the Wetland Indicator Status Rating, please contact: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
FACU: Facultative Upland
Occasionally is a hydrophyte but usually occurs in uplands (non-wetlands).
Other information
Etymology
thelymitra: Woman’s hat
Manaaki Whenua Online Interactive Key
Chromosome number
2n = 26
Previous conservation statuses
2017 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: DP, EF, Sp
2012 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: DP, EF, Sp
2009 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: DP, EF, Sp
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Critical
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Rolfe JR, de Lange PJ. 2010. Illustrated guide to New Zealand sun orchids, Thelymitra (Orchidaceae). Jeremy Rolfe, Wellington, NZ. 57 p.
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 14 April 2007. Description subsequently published in Rolfe & de Lange (2010).
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Thelymitra sanscilia Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/thelymitra-sanscilia/ (Date website was queried)