About Thelymitra ixioides Sw.
Thelymitra ixioides, commonly known as the spotted sun orchid, is a tuberous perennial herb. It produces a single dark green leaf that is channelled or corrugated, ranging from thread-like to lance-shaped. The leaf measures 200–300 mm (8–10 in) long and 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide, with a purplish base. Between two and ten flowers are borne on a flowering stem that grows 300–600 mm (10–20 in) tall. Most flowers are blue to purple with small darker blue spots, and each flower is 30–40 mm (1–2 in) wide. Flowers may sometimes be pinkish, greenish or white, and occasionally lack spots. Its sepals and petals are 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide. The column of the orchid is white or blue, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. The lobe on top of the anther is yellow with a dark blue band on its back, and bears several rows of crowded, finger-like glands with yellow or orange tips. The side lobes have dense, toothbrush-like tufts of white, pink or bluish hairs. Flowers are sometimes self-pollinating, but are more commonly insect pollinated. Flowering occurs from September to December. This species is widespread and common in Australia, and less common in New Zealand. It grows in a wide range of habitats, but is most common in heath and forest. In Australia, it is found in the Darling Downs of Queensland, on the coast and tablelands of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, across most of Victoria, in south-eastern South Australia, and in Tasmania. In New Zealand, it occurs on both the North Island and the South Island.
