New Zealand Native Orchids

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Thelymitra colensoi

Sun Orchid

Albany Scenic Reserve 23 November 2014. Photo: Bill Campbell
Photo: Bill Campbell
Recorded distribution
Recorded distribution

Plant

Leaf upright, rather flat and often twisted to one side, base of stem red.

Flowers

Up to 7, dusky blue to pinkish mauve. Upper column bronze brown, occasionally red, the apex blunt, yellow and scarcely curved forwards, notched. Cilia sparse, white.

Flowering

October - November.

Habitat

Lowland to montane, peat bogs, gumland scrub, forests and clay banks.

Conservation

Widespread sometimes common; not threatened. Currently classified as Data Deficient.

Notes

Part of the T. pauciflora complex but more delicate, column top thin and notched.

Key features

Column top rounded, deeply notched, brown with yellow tip, leaf twisted to one side.

Photos

Albany Scenic Reserve 23 November 2014. Photo: Bill Campbell
Albany Scenic Reserve 23 November 2014. Photo: Bill Campbell
Albany Scenic Reserve 23 November 2014. Photo: Bill Campbell
Far North. Photo: Kevin Matthews
Hatfields Beach. Photo: Eric Scanlen
Hatfields Beach. Photo: Eric Scanlen
Photo: Eric Scanlen
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Sun orchids (Thelymitra)
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