Click image to enlarge
Thelymitra vulgaris - Slender Sun Orchid
This species is mainly a coastal or near coastal orchid, occurring from Esperance to north of Perth. It grows to 40 cm (16") in height and produces between 2 - 10 blue, mauve or even white flowers to 2.5 cm (1") diameter, which bloom (depending on local weather conditions) anytime from September to December. The flowers are self-pollinating and often do not open fully, requiring warm sunny days to do so.
The Slender Sun Orchid is quite a common species of acid sandy heath and locally can be found in moist soils around ephemeral swamps and seepage zones. Bushfires aid these orchids by clearing larger plants that would otherwise smother them, but they can still be found in unburnt areas providing it has not become too overgrown.
The Slender Sun Orchid is quite a common species of acid sandy heath and locally can be found in moist soils around ephemeral swamps and seepage zones. Bushfires aid these orchids by clearing larger plants that would otherwise smother them, but they can still be found in unburnt areas providing it has not become too overgrown.
