Plants of
South Australia
Thelymitra orientalis
Orchidaceae
Plum Sun-orchid,
Horay Sun-orchid
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Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.
Least concern
Near threatened
Rare
Vulnerable
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Extinct
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Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
Marla
Marree
Mount Gambier
Oodnadatta
Renmark
Wudinna
Keith
Yunta
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Prior names

Thelymitra mucida ssp. orientalis

Common names

Plum Sun-orchid

Horay Sun-orchid

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. Orientalis from Latin meaning east, alluding to its distribution in eastern Australia, compare to the similar species Thelymitra mucida found in Western Australia.

Distribution and status

Found on Kangaroo Island and the lower South-east in South Australia, growing in damp heathy flats and seepage areas on leached peaty white sands. Also found in Victoria. Native. Very rare in South Australia. Very rare in Victoria.
Herbarium regions: Kangaroo Island, South Eastern
NRM regions: Kangaroo Island, South East
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Flowering between late October and early November.