About Thelymitra nervosa Colenso
Thelymitra nervosa, commonly called the spotted sun orchid, is a tuberous perennial herb. It produces a single channelled leaf that is 60–200 mm (2–8 in) or longer, and 8–20 mm (0.3–0.8 in) wide. Up to ten flowers grow on a flowering stem that can reach 600 mm (20 in) in height. Flowers range in color from pale to dark blue, mauve, and are sometimes pink or white, they usually have dark blue spots, and are up to 18 mm (0.7 in) wide. The plant's column is 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long, pale pink at its base and dark purple near the top. The arms on the sides of the column have dense tufts of white hairs. The lobe that sits on top of the anther is dark purple, curves forwards, and has a yellow, horseshoe-shaped tip. Flowering takes place between October and February. This orchid grows in sunny locations within forest, scrub, and grassland habitats. It occurs on the North, South, Stewart, and Chatham Islands of New Zealand.
