{"id":1297,"date":"2014-12-26T09:31:45","date_gmt":"2014-12-26T09:31:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chookman.id.au\/wp_orchids\/?page_id=1297"},"modified":"2025-11-22T17:49:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T17:49:31","slug":"thelymitra-crinita-macrophylla-graminea-mucida-cornicina-blue-sun-orchids","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/chookman.id.au\/wp_orchids\/?page_id=1297","title":{"rendered":"Thelymitra crinita, macrophylla, graminea, mucida, cornicina<\/em> - Blue Sun Orchids"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Blue Sun Orchids are a group of species that all have uniformly mostly blue coloured flowers. The Scented Sun Orchids are by far the most common species in this group, being very common throughout the south west. Flowering occurs from August to December, with species found in the north around Geraldton flowering first while those along the south coast can be found flowering into December.<\/p>\n

\n

Thelymitra crinita<\/em> - Blue Lady Orchid<\/h2>\n

The Blue Lady Orchid is distinguished from the Scented Sun Orchid by its more rounded, deeper blue petals and sepals and generally shorter plants. It is also distinguished by its leaf. The Blue Lady has a broad leaf up to 10cm long while the Scented Sun Orchid has a long strap-like leaf up to 30cm long. The shape of the column is also different (see photos.) It is widespread between Perth and Albany and flowers from late September to early December (earlier in the north and later in the south).<\/p>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Thelymitra crinita<\/em> hybrids - Blue Scented Hybrid<\/h2>\n

Where the Blue Lady Orchid, Thelymitra crinita<\/em> and species of the Scented Sun Orchid group grow together, occasional hybrids are found. These hybrids are identified mainly by the column apex, which generally has the shape of the column from the Scented Sun parent, but has very short hairs on it rather than being smooth. The petals and sepals generally take the shape of the Blue Lady parent but are often a bit purplish, rather then bright blue. <\/p>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita x macrophylla - Blue Scented Hybrid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita x macrophylla - Blue Scented Hybrid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita x macrophylla - Blue Scented Hybrid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra graminea - Shy Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita x graminea - Blue Scented Hybrid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita x graminea - Blue Scented Hybrid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Thelymitra macrophylla<\/em> - Scented Sun Orchid<\/h2>\n

Scented Sun Orchids can be up to 1 metre tall with up to 39 flowers on each plant. Its sweetly scented blue to purple flowers have pointed petals and sepals.
\nThere are many similar species that are very difficult to distinguish. As a group, they are very common throughout the entire south west.<\/p>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra macrophylla - Scented Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Thelymitra graminea<\/em> - Shy Sun Orchid<\/h2>\n

The Shy Sun Orchid looks very similar to the Scented Sun Orchid but has much smaller flowers (2-3cm), less flowers per stem and smaller, less robust plants. Its flowers are self pollinating, only staying open for a few days at most. It flowers a few weeks later.<\/p>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra graminea - Shy Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra graminea - Shy Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra graminea - Shy Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra graminea - Shy Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra graminea - Shy Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra graminea - Shy Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Thelymitra mucida<\/em> - Plum Orchid<\/h2>\n

The Plum Orchid is easily distinguished by its unique column. The column tufts are ragged and curl upward. The flowers are quite small, only 1-2cm across. Plants can reach 50cm in height with a very thin leaf. This orchid has a rather long flowering period from September to November, making it difficult to find plants in flower (unless, of course, you live nearby and can check the plants regularly!)<\/p>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra mucida - Plum Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra mucida - Plum Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra mucida - Plum Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra mucida - Plum Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra mucida - Plum Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Thelymitra cornicina<\/em> - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/h2>\n

The Lilac Sun Orchid is similar to the Blue Lady Orchid, but is distinguished by the purple colouring of the petals and the thin, rather than broad, leaf. The column has subtle differences too. This orchid is found in swampy areas and as such can be difficult to locate unless the habitat has been burnt.<\/p>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra cornicina - Lilac Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Thelymitra petrophila<\/em> - Granite Sun Orchid
\nThelymitra <\/em> sp. 'late northern'<\/h2>\n

The Granite Sun Orchid has flowers that are much the same as those of the Scented Sun Orchid (T. macrophylla). It is found through out the drier areas of the Wheatbelt, mainly being found on and around granite outcrops. It is the most common of the scented sun orchid group found in inland areas.
\nThe Late Northern Sun Orchid is similar to the Granite Sun Orchid and differs in favouring yellow sand plain habitat. The tip of the column is also distinctive in being nearly completely black with little or no yellow colouring. It is found in the Kalbarri area and flowers fairly late int he season, hence the name.<\/p>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra petrophila - Granite Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra petrophila - Granite Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra petrophila - Granite Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra petrophila - Granite Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra petrophila - Granite Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra petrophila - Granite Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra petrophila - Granite Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra petrophila - Granite Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra petrophila - Granite Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra petrophila - Granite Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra sp. 'late northern' - Late Northern Sun orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra sp. 'late northern' - Late Northern Sun orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Thelymitra vulgaris<\/em> - Slender Sun Orchid<\/h2>\n

The Slender Sun Orchid is distinguished by its small flowers and by the tufts on the column. The tiny stalks that support the tufts have a distinct 90 degree elbow. This species is usually self pollinating with flowers that rarely open for more than a few days.<\/p>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra vulgaris - Slender Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra vulgaris - Slender Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Thelymitra<\/a>

Thelymitra vulgaris - Slender Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra vulgaris - Slender Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra vulgaris - Slender Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra vulgaris - Slender Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra vulgaris - Slender Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra vulgaris - Slender Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Thelymitra paludosa<\/em> - Plain Sun Orchid<\/h2>\n

This orchid is similar to the Scented Sun Orchid, but flowers later in the season, from November to Janudary. It is found mainly in the lower South-West, particularly on road verges in Karri forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra paludosa - Plain Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra paludosa - Plain Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Thelymitra paludosa - Plain Sun Orchid<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Blue Sun Orchids are a group of species that all have uniformly mostly blue coloured flowers. The Scented Sun Orchids are by far the most common species in this group, being very common throughout the south west. Flowering occurs from August to December, with species found in the north around Geraldton flowering first while […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"templates\/full-width-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1297","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/chookman.id.au\/wp_orchids\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/chookman.id.au\/wp_orchids\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/chookman.id.au\/wp_orchids\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/chookman.id.au\/wp_orchids\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/chookman.id.au\/wp_orchids\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1297"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"http:\/\/chookman.id.au\/wp_orchids\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1297\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8548,"href":"http:\/\/chookman.id.au\/wp_orchids\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1297\/revisions\/8548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/chookman.id.au\/wp_orchids\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}