Plants of
South Australia
Thelymitra epipactoides
Orchidaceae
Metallic Sun-orchid,
Stout Sun-orchid
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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
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Oodnadatta
Renmark
Wudinna
Keith
Yunta
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Botanical art

Kath Alcock paintings: 2

Common names

Metallic Sun-orchid

Stout 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. Epipactoides from the Greek 'epipaktis' after the genus of terrestrial orchids Epipactis, alluding to the supposed similarity of the plants to some European Epipactis orchids.

Distribution and status

Found on the bottom of Eyre Peninsula, southern Mount Lofty Ranges and the South-east in South Australia, growing on fertile loams in open woodland, heath or grassland. Also found in Victoria. Native. Very rare in South Australia. Very rare in Victoria. Endangered in Australia under the EPBC Act.
Herbarium regions: Eyre Peninsula, Murray, South Eastern
NRM regions: Eyre Peninsula, South Australian Murray-Darling Basin, South East
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Terrestrial orchid growing to 50 cm tall with a single basal leaf, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, tubular at base, to 40 cm long. Inflorescence a tall erect stem with 5-25 pink, bronze, green, blue or reddish, often with a coppery sheen or metallic lustre flowers to 25 mm in diameter. Column has incurved lobes with dense tufts of shaggy hair. Flowering between September and November. Fruits are brown papery ellipsoid capsule. Seeds are very small dark brown ellipsoid seed with an ovoid translucent brown mesh-like covering.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between October and December. 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, refrigerator or in liquid nitrogen. For the NVC South East Orchid Project seven populations consisting of more than 100 individuals in total were recorded from Derwents Waterhole, Reedy Well, Meningie Gun Club, Tilley Swamp Conservation Park, Desert Camp Conservation Park, Messent Conservation Park and Padthaway Conservation Park. Approximately 2,800,000 seeds (2.27 g) were banked for these seven observed populations. The seed viability was low for the collection from Messent CP at 18%, all others ranged between 57% and 100%. Seed germination in Thelymitra species is difficult in the absence of symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi.

Seeds stored:
  Hide
LocationNo. of seeds
(weight grams)
Number
of plants
Date
collected
Collection number
Collection location
Date
stored
% ViabilityStorage
temperature
21-Dec-2005K. Pobke
Southern Lofty
1-Nov-2016N/C-80°C
8-Nov-2007C. Obst
South Eastern
1-Nov-2016N/C-80°C
BGA1,050,000 (0.822 g)831-Oct-2013C. Dickson
South Eastern
1-Nov-2016100%-80°C
BGA100,000 (0.079 g)231-Oct-2013C. Dickson
South Eastern
1-Nov-201660%-80°C
BGA120,000 (0.093 g)4 podsC. Dickson
South Eastern
1-Nov-201684%-80°C
8-Nov-2007C. Obst
South Eastern
1-Nov-2016N/C-80°C
8-Nov-2007C. Obst
South Eastern
1-Nov-2016N/C-80°C
BGA150,000 (0.118 g)331-Oct-2013C. Dickson
South Eastern
1-Nov-201618%-80°C
BGA150,000 (0.118 g)24-Jul-2005C. Dickson
South Eastern
1-Nov-201674%-80°C
BGA330,000 (0.259 g)24-Jul-2005C. Dickson
South Eastern
1-Nov-201689%-80°C
29-Nov-2007D. Hinchliffe
South Eastern
1-Nov-2016N/C-80°C
BGA300,000 (0.237 g)74-Jul-2005C. Dickson
South Eastern
1-Nov-201675%-80°C
BGA590,000 (0.463 g)11 pods4-Jul-2005C. Dickson
South Eastern
1-Nov-201657%-80°C
BGA111,500 (0.087 g)416-Oct-2018Messent CP
South Eastern
24-Apr-2019N/C-18°C
BGA1,385,000 (1.08 g)931-Oct-2019TST1429
South Eastern
24-Jun-2020 -18°C, -80°C
BGA760,500 (0.59 g)626-Oct-2018Meningie MC
South Eastern
24-Jun-2020N/C-18°C, -80°C
BGA153,900 (0.120 g)1014-Oct-2020T.Bridle
South Eastern
28-Jun-2021N/C-18°C
BGA1,172,000 (0.910 g)75-Nov-2020TST1429
South Eastern
28-Jun-2021N/C-18°C, -80°C
BGA129,500 (0.101 g)420-Sep-2021Bunbury CP
South Eastern
10-Aug-2022N/C-18°C, -80°C
BGA1,458,200 (1.137 g)78-Nov-2021TST1429
South Eastern
10-Aug-2022N/C-18°C, -80°C
BGA1,209,400 (0.943 g)620-Sep-2021KHB1070
South Eastern
10-Aug-2022N/C-18°C, -80°C
BGA83,300 (0.065 g)18-Nov-2021T.Bridle
South Eastern
10-Aug-2022N/C-18°C
BGA228,300 (0.178 g)426-Oct-2021Messent CP
South Eastern
10-Aug-2022N/C-18°C, -80°C
BGA2,154,600 (1.680 g)920-Sep-2021KHB1071
South Eastern
10-Aug-2022N/C-18°C, -80°C
BGA515,500 (0.402 g)620-Sep-2021KHB1069
South Eastern
10-Aug-2022N/C-18°C, -80°C
BGA130,000 (0.102 g)225-Nov-2022Crawford Scrub
South Eastern
21-Jun-2023N/C-18°C, -80°C
BGA630,000 (0.488 g)27-Nov-2022TST1429
South Eastern
21-Jun-2023N/C-18°C, -80°C
Location: BGA — the seeds are stored at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, MSB — the seeds are stored at the Millennium Seed Bank, Kew, England.
Number of plants: This is the number of plants from which the seeds were collected.
Collection location: The Herbarium of South Australia's region name.
% Viability: Percentage of filled healthy seeds determined by a cut test or x-ray.