Thelymitra antennifera

Thelymitra antennifera, commonly called the rabbit-eared sun orchid, lemon-scented sun orchid or vanilla orchid is a species of orchid which is native to Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria and northern parts of Tasmania.

Rabbit-eared sun orchid
Thelymitra antennifera in the Stirling Range National Park.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Monocots
Order:
Asparagales
Family:
Orchidaceae
Subfamily:
Orchidoideae
Tribe:
Diurideae
Subtribe:
Thelymitrinae
Genus:
Thelymitra
Species:
T. antennifera
Binomial name
Thelymitra antennifera
Synonyms[1]

Macdonaldia antennifera Lindl.

Description

Thelymitra antennifera is a tuberous, perennial herb, 10–25 cm tall with yellow flowers from July to October.[2] Its leaf is circular in cross–section, 5 to 12 cm long and 2 to 3 mm wide. The inflorescence consists of one to four yellow flowers on a wiry, zig-zagged often pinkish stem. Each flower is 20 to 40 mm across with a lemon or vanilla scent. The sepals and petals are 12 to 20 mm long and 4 to 6 mm wide, the sepals having a broad, reddish–brown band on their outer surface. The column is 5 to 6 mm long and 2 to 3 mm wide with dark brown arms that are ear-like and held high above the column.[3] As with others in the genus, it reproduces by seeds but is unusual in that it is one of the few that develops tubers on the end of stolon-like roots, allowing it to form new colonies.[4] The flowers are insect pollinated and open readily, even on cool days and are long-lasting.[5]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in the South–West and Eremaean botanical provinces of Western Australia. It is also found South Australia and Victoria. In Tasmania it only occurs in a few small areas and is classified as an endangered species in that state.[3] Elsewhere it is widespread and common, growing in many habitats, especially shrub, heath and mallee. It sometimes forms dense, extensive colonies, flowering freely, especially after fire.[5]

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first described by John Lindley in 1840 in his A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony (1840) as Macdonaldia antennifera.[6] but was later renamed Thelymitra antennifera by the English botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker in The botany of the Antarctic voyage of H.M. discovery ships Erebus and Terror. III. Flora Tasmaniae[7] The specific epithet (antennifera) is from the Latin antenna, (classically "a sail yard"), and -fer meaning "-bearing", referring to the lateral appendages on the column.[8][9] The genus name Macdonaldia, honours "Mrs. Smith, née Macdonald, a lady who has examined the Orchidaceous plants of that island with great care, and from whom a most beautiful series of dried specimens has reached me through the offices of Mr. Gunn".[10]

Five hybrids are recognised–

Use in horticulture

Thelymitra species are readily cultivated in pots.[16]

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References
  1. "Thelymitra antennifera". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. "Thelymitra antennifera L.f." FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  3. "Thelymitra antennifera - rabbit ears; Tasmanian threatened species listing statement". Tasmanian threatened species section—Department of primary industries, parks, water and environment. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  4. "Thelymitra antennifera". Lucid keys. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  5. Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. pp. 246–247. ISBN 9781877069123.
  6. "Macdonaldia antennifera Lindl". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  7. "Thelymitra antennifera (Lindl.) Hook.f." Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  8. Francis Aubie Sharr (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings. Kardinya, Western Australia: Four Gables Press. p. 131. ISBN 9780958034180.
  9. Brown, Andrew; Dixon, Kingsley; French, Christopher; Brockman, Garry (2013). Field guide to the orchids of Western Australia : the definitive guide to the native orchids of Western Australia. Simon Nevill Publications. p. 436. ISBN 9780980348149.
  10. Lindley, John (1840). A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony. London: James, Ridgway. p. l. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  11. "Thelymitra antennifera (Lindl.) Hook.f. x Thelymitra gregaria D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.". APNI. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  12. "Thelymitra antennifera (Lindl.) Hook.f. x Thelymitra luteocilium D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.". APNI. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  13. "Thelymitra antennifera (Lindl.) Hook.f. x Thelymitra macrophylla D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.". APNI. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  14. "Thelymitra antennifera (Lindl.) Hook.f. x Thelymitra maculata D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.". APNI. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  15. "Thelymitra antennifera (Lindl.) Hook.f. x Thelymitra vulgaris D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.". APNI. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  16. Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2nd ed.). Sydney: Collins. p. 494. ISBN 0002165759.
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