Crystal Brook Star Orchid
Thelymitra magnifica
Notes
The Crystal Brook Star Orchid is a very rare species restricted to the western slopes of the Darling Scarp in south-western Australia where it occurs in woodlands on seasonally moist granitic slopes between Kalamunda and Armadale. Large specimens can grow up to 30 cm tall and have more than a dozen flowers, while smaller specimens will often have only 2–4 flowers. The orchids often grow in small clumps, although only few plants will flower in any particular year. The flowers are mostly brown with large yellow or orange blotches and will only open on sunny and warm days. The peak flowering period is September–October.
The Crystal Brook Star Orchid is closely related to the very similar Star Orchid (Thelymitra stellata) which is also found along the western edge of the Darling Scarp. It is generally distinguished from that species by its somewhat taller habit, slightly larger flowers, association with moist granitic rather than dry lateritic soils and slightly earlier flowering period. In addition, the Crystal Brook Star Orchid is said to have a distinctly cinnamon-like scent as opposed to the sweet scent of the Star Orchid. However, both species are generally very difficult to tell apart and may be impossible to positively identify in the field.
Photos
References
- Thelymitra magnifica in the Australian Plant Name Index
- Thelymitra magnifica in the Atlas of Living Australia
- Thelymitra magnifica in the Western Australian FloraBase