Thelymitra sanscilia
Common name
sun orchid
Synonyms
None. However, Flora II (Moore & Edgar 1970) regarded it as a sporadically occurring mutation of T. pauciflora.
Family
Orchidaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Orchids
Chromosome number
2n = 26
Current conservation status
The threat classification status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley. Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – a suggested threat classification status has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: DP, EF, Sp
Previous conservation statuses
2012 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: DP, EF, Sp
2009 | Threatened – Nationally Critical | Qualifiers: DP, EF, Sp
2004 | Threatened – Nationally Critical
Distribution
Endemic, North Island, where it is apparently confined to Northland.
Habitat
Open gum-land scrub and in open ground in association with kanuka (Kunzea ericoides var. linearis (Kirk) W.Harris) woodland.
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).
Features
Plant at flowering 100-400 mm tall. Leaf solitary, 100-300 x 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. Central column white, with a brown band near apex. Column 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.
Manaaki Whenua Online Interactive Key
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.
Flowering
September - October
Flower colours
Violet/Purple, White
Fruiting
December - January
Propagation technique
Difficult. Should not be removed from the wild.
Threats
Known from a handful of sites from Te Paki to Pipiwai near Whangarei. Not common at any particular location.
Etymology
thelymitra: Woman’s hat
Where To Buy
As far as is known this species is not in cultivation.
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 14 April 2007. Description subsequently published in Rolfe & de Lange (2010).
References and further reading
Rolfe, J.R.; de Lange, P.J. 2010: Illustrated guide to New Zealand sun orchids, Thelymitra (Orchidaceae). Jeremy Rolfe, Wellington.
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)