Thelymitra atronitida, commonly called the black-hooded orchid,[2] is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single erect, leathery, leaf and up to eight moderately dark blue, self-pollinating flowers that only open on hot days.
| Black-hooded sun orchid | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Thelymitra |
| Species: | T. atronitida
|
| Binomial name | |
| Thelymitra atronitida | |
Description
editThelymitra atronitida is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single erect, leathery, channelled, dark green, linear to lance-shaped leaf 150–350 mm (6–10 in) long and 5–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) wide with a purplish base. Between two and eight moderately dark blue flowers 20–26 mm (0.8–1 in) wide are arranged along a flowering stem 300–500 mm (10–20 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 10–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long and 3–8 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide. The column is pale blue, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther is glossy black with a yellow inflated tubular, gently curved tip with a notched end. The side lobes curve upwards and have, toothbrush-like tufts of white hairs. Flowering occurs in October and November but the flowers open only on hot days.[2][3][4][5]
Taxonomy and naming
editThelymitra atronitida was first formally described in 2000 by Jeff Jeanes and the description was published in Muelleria[4] from a specimen collected near Genoa.[6] The specific epithet (atronitida) is derived from the Latin words ater meaning "black"[7]: 111 and nitida meaning "bright", "shining" or "elegant",[7]: 481 referring to the colour of the anther lobe.[8]
Distribution and habitat
editThe black-hooded sun orchid grows in heathy open forest and grasstree plains in eastern New South Wales, far north-eastern Victoria and eastern Tasmania.[2][5][8]
Conservation
editThis orchid is only known from two locations in New South Wales, where it is classified as "critically endangered" under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.[9] It is only known from five locations in Tasmania and is listed as "endangered" under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 in that state.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Thelymitra atronitida". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- ^ a b c Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 233. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ Jeanes, Jeff A.; Stajsic, Val. "Thelymitra atronitida". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ a b Jeanes, Jeffrey A. (2000). "Two new species of Thelymitra (Orchidaceae) from southeastern Australia". Muelleria: An Australian Journal of Botany. 14: 91––97. doi:10.5962/p.190414. ISSN 0077-1813. S2CID 90017823.
- ^ a b Jeanes, J A (2004). "A revision of the Thelymitra pauciflora R.Br. (Orchidaceae) complex in Australia". Muelleria: An Australian Journal of Botany. 19: 19–79. doi:10.5962/p.291362. ISSN 0077-1813. S2CID 251005920.
- ^ "Thelymitra atronitida". APNI. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ a b Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
- ^ a b Jeanes, Jeffrey A. (2000). "Two new species of Thelymitra (Orchidaceae) from southeastern Australia" (PDF). Muelleria. 14: 91–94. doi:10.5962/p.190414. S2CID 90017823. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ "Black-hooded Sun Orchid - profile". New South Wales Government Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Thelymitra atronitida blackhood sun-orchid". Tasmanian Government Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment. Retrieved 1 October 2022.