About Thelymitra purpurata Rupp
Thelymitra purpurata Rupp, commonly known as the wallum sun orchid, is a tuberous perennial herb. It produces a single ribbed, linear to lance-shaped leaf that is 100–250 mm (4–10 in) long and 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide. Between two and ten unspotted bluish purple flowers, each 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) wide, are borne on a flowering stem that grows 150–350 mm (6–14 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 12–17 mm (0.5–0.7 in) long and 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The plant's column is bluish to pinkish, measuring 4.5–5.5 mm (0.18–0.22 in) long and 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.12 in) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther is short, yellow with a dark blue band, and covered in many finger-like calli. The side lobes have dense, mop-like tufts of white hairs. The flowers are insect-pollinated, open on sunny days, and often have their petals and sepals turned backwards. Flowering occurs from July to September. This orchid is common in heath habitats in coastal areas, from south of Fraser Island in Queensland to Myall Lakes in New South Wales.
