About Thelymitra luteocilium Fitzg.
Thelymitra luteocilium Fitzg. is a tuberous, perennial herb. It produces a single fleshy, channelled, dark green leaf that is linear to lance-shaped, measuring 100–200 mm (4–8 in) long and 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. Between two and six pale pink to reddish flowers, each 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) wide, are arranged on a flowering stem that grows 150–350 mm (6–10 in) tall. Its sepals and petals are 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide. The column is pink to reddish, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long, and about 3 mm (0.1 in) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther has a dense fringe and a yellow tip marked with a dark collar. The side lobes have dense, yellow, mop-like tufts at their ends. The flowers of this species are self-pollinated, and only open slowly on hot, humid days. Flowering takes place from August to October. This species, commonly called the fringed sun orchid, mostly grows near low shrubs in forest and scrubland habitats in central-western Victoria and eastern South Australia.
