Scientific Name: Thelymitra nuda

Common Name: plain sun-orchid

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Form Description: A moderately tall but slender, dark blue to purple sun orchid, with a relatively short, fleshy, channelled dark-green leaf.

Height (m): 0.15 – 0.5

Flowers: 1-12 clear dark blue to purplish flowers. Column pale blue with a dark brown collar and a tubular, strongly notched bright yellow apex. Column arms converging with toothbrush-like white hair tufts. Opens freely on warm, humid days.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral HighlandsClarenceDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonNorthern MidlandsWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Coastal VegetationGrassland
Habitat Notes

Widespread and locally common in a variety of habitats from coastal grasslands to sub-alpine woodland below 1000 altitude.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Specialist Method

Seed Information

Seed Treatment Notes

Orchid seeds are very minute yellow, brown or blackish dust-like particles. Orchid seeds are produced within a capsule that splits at maturity and releases thousands to millions of seeds. Dispersed by wind and water and only germinate following infection of the embryo by a suitable mycorrhizal fungus. Very few seeds become mature plants. For more information see Jones, Wapstra, Tonelli, Harris (1999): The Orchids of Tasmania.