Thelymitra tigrina, commonly called the tiger orchid[2] or tiger sun orchid,[3] is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single narrow leaf and up to fifteen small yellow flowers with small brown spots.
| Tiger orchid | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Thelymitra |
| Species: | T. tigrina
|
| Binomial name | |
| Thelymitra tigrina | |
Description
editThelymitra tigrina is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single leaf 100–150 mm (4–6 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. Between two and fifteen yellow, cup-shaped flowers with many dark brown spots, 10–16 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 150–700 mm (6–30 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The column is a similar colour to the sepals and petals, 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and has short, white, pimply arms on the sides. The lobe on top of the anther is short and covered with small bumps. The flowers are self-pollinated and open on hot, sunny days. Flowering occurs from November to January.[2][3][4][5]
Taxonomy and naming
editThelymitra tigrina was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[6][7] The specific epithet (tigrina) is a Latin word meaning "of tigers",[8] referring to the colour of the flowers.[2]
Distribution and habitat
editThe tiger orchid grows in dense scrub in near-coastal, winter-wet scrub. It is found between Perth and Albany with a disjunct population near Esperance.[3][2][4][5][9]
Conservation
editThelymitra tigrina is classified as "not threatened" in Western Australia by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Thelymitra tigrina". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- ^ a b c d Brown, Andrew; Dundas, Pat; Dixon, Kingsley; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 438. ISBN 9780980296457.
- ^ 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. 256. ISBN 1877069124.
- ^ a b Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 297. ISBN 9780646562322.
- ^ a b Archer, William. "Tiger orchid - Thelymitra tigrina". Esperance Wildflowers. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ "Thelymitra tigrina". APNI. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae. London. p. 315. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 189.
- ^ a b "Thelymitra tigrina". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
External links
edit
Data related to Thelymitra tigrina at Wikispecies
