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Custard Orchid
Thelymitra villosa Lindl. 1840

Synonyms

Notes

This widespread but uncommon Sun Orchid can be found in south-western WA between Geraldton and Israelite Bay, usually within about 100 km of the coast. The petals and sepals are pale yellow in colour with a characteristic, highly variable pattern of reddish-brown blotches. The flower stem is fairly tall with a short, broad leaf at the base and up to 20 individual flowers. Due to their large size and yellow flowers, Custard Orchids are easy to spot.

The Custard Orchid flowers in early to mid spring and usually grows in woodland and shrubland, often in winter-wet flats or moist areas around granite outcrops. From the similar Freckled Sun Orchid (Thelymitra sargentii), Tiger Orchid (Thelymitra tigrina) and Leopard Orchid (Thelymitra benthamiana) the Custard Orchid is readily distinguished by the unique shape and colour of its column.

Photos

Thelymitra villosa
The flowers are yellow with a highly variable pattern of reddish-brown blotches. (Yornaning, WA, 16 / 10 / 2018)
Thelymitra villosa
In some populations the brown blotches are very dark and prominent. (Dunsborough, WA, 15 / 11 / 2016)
Thelymitra villosa
Close-up view of the characteristic column. (Dunsborough, WA, 15 / 11 / 2016)
Thelymitra villosa
View of the inflorescence which can carry more than a dozen individual flowers. (Yornaning, WA, 16 / 10 / 2018)
Thelymitra villosa
The comparison with the size of a human thumb illustrates the large size of the flowers. (Yornaning, WA, 16 / 10 / 2018)
Thelymitra villosa
The relatively short but broad leaf sits at the base of the flower stem. (Dunsborough, WA, 20 / 09 / 2018)

References