Plants of
South Australia
Thelymitra batesii
Orchidaceae
Bates Sun-orchid
Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.
Least concern
Near threatened
Rare
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically endangered
Extinct
Data deficient
Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
Marla
Marree
Mount Gambier
Oodnadatta
Renmark
Wudinna
Keith
Yunta
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Prior names

Thelymitra aff. holmesii "Woodland"

Etymology

Thelymitra from Greek 'thelys' meaning a bishop and 'mitra' meaning a headwear, hat, hence a bishop’s mitre, referring to the sometimes plumed or decorated wings of the column, which is usually produced behind and over the anther in a hood-like projection. Batesii named after Robert (Bob) J. Bates (1946-), a South Australian field naturalist and an orchid enthusiast with enormous knowledge of Australian orchids, particularly those in South Australia.

Distribution and status

Endemic to South Australia and found in the southern Flinders Ranges and the Mount Lofty Ranges, growing in heathy woodlands and heathy open forest on sandy and gravelly clay loam soils. Native. Rare in South Australia.
Herbarium regions: Flinders Ranges, Northern Lofty, Southern Lofty, Green Adelaide
NRM regions: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, Northern and Yorke, South Australian Arid Lands
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Terrestrial orchid with narrow linear to linear-lanceolate leaves, to 30 cm long and 11 mm wide, erect, fleshy, dark green with a purplish base. Flowering spike slender, straight, green to purplish, to 45 cm high with 2-8 mauve or bluish purple inside and pinkish with dark stripes outside flowers. Flowering between late September and early November. Fruits are brown papery obovoid capsule to 18 mm long and 7 mm wide, ribbed.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between November and January. Collect fat capsules as they start to dry and turn brown. Pods will split and release the seeds quickly and will require monitoring. To increase the chances of collecting mature pods, it is recommended that a small breathable bag (ie. Organza bags) be used to enclose the developing capsules. Place the capsules in a container that will hold fine seeds and leave to dry for a few weeks or until the capsule split. Then carefully hold the capsule and tap it gently to release the seeds. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place or in liquid nitrogen.