About Thelymitra peniculata Jeanes
Thelymitra peniculata is a tuberous perennial herb. It produces a single erect, dark green, fleshy, channelled, linear leaf, which measures 140–400 mm (6–20 in) long and 5–20 mm (0.2–0.8 in) wide, and has a purplish base. Between one and eighteen deep blue to rich purple flowers, each 14–22 mm (0.6–0.9 in) wide, are arranged on a flowering stem that grows 250–650 mm (10–30 in) tall. Its sepals and petals are 6–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long and 3–6.5 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide. The column of the flower is pink or purplish, 4.5–6.5 mm (0.18–0.26 in) long and 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther is dark brown to blackish with a yellow tip; it is tubular, sharply curved, and has a notched tip. The side lobes curve upwards and bear untidy, mop-like tufts of white hairs. Flowering takes place from September to November. The flowers are self-pollinating and only open on hot days. Common name trim sun orchid, this species usually grows in a range of habitats from grassland to forest. It is distributed from south of Mount Kaputar in New South Wales, through the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Tasmania, to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.
