Scientific Name: Thelymitra spadicea Endemic Having a natural distribution confined to a particular geographic region

Common Name: browntop sun-orchid

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Orchidaceae

Form Description: A small, spotted blue sun orchid with a solitary fleshy, channelled, dark-green leaf, 100-220mm long.

Height (m): 0.1 – 0.25

Flowers: 1-4 blue spotted flowers with a dark tubular apex divided into two distinct spade-like yellow, occasionally brown, lobes. Column arms parallel, projecting horizontally, with white, mop-like hair tufts.

Municipality
Circular HeadDorsetFlindersLatrobe
Plant Communities
No data available for this species
Habitat Notes

Uncommon in poorly drained coastal heathland.

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.