About Thelymitra albiflora Jeanes
Thelymitra albiflora, commonly called the white sun orchid, is a tuberous perennial herb. It produces a single erect, channelled, green leaf that is linear to lance-shaped. The leaf measures 100 to 300 mm (4 to 10 inches) long, 1 to 3 mm (0.04 to 0.1 inch) wide, and has a purplish base.
Between one and ten white or pale blue flowers, each 15 to 20 mm (0.6 to 0.8 inch) wide, grow on a flowering stem that is 100 to 500 mm (4 to 20 inches) tall. The sepals and petals are 6 to 10 mm (0.2 to 0.4 inch) long and 3 to 6 mm (0.1 to 0.2 inch) wide. The central column is white or pale blue, 4 to 5.5 mm (0.16 to 0.22 inch) long and 2 to 2.5 mm (0.08 to 0.1 inch) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther curves gently forwards; it is reddish brown with a thin purplish band and a yellow tip. The side lobes curve upwards and their tops are covered in long, toothbrush-like tufts of white hairs.
Flowers of this species only open slowly on warm to hot sunny days. Flowering occurs between September and November. This orchid grows in higher rainfall regions of South Australia, in habitats including heath, forest, and woodland.
