Tobias Westmeier’s Website

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 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 generally easy to find and can be seen from quite some distance.

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 brown blotches. (Flynn, WA, 27 / 09 / 2020)
Thelymitra villosa
In some specimens the brown blotches are very dark and prominent. (Dunsborough, WA, 15 / 11 / 2016)
Thelymitra villosa
The dark blotches sometimes extend across the entire flower. (Flynn, WA, 27 / 09 / 2020)
Thelymitra villosa
In other cases the blotches are restricted to the base of the petals. (Flynn, WA, 27 / 09 / 2020)
Thelymitra villosa
Close-up view of the characteristic column. (Dunsborough, WA, 15 / 11 / 2016)
Thelymitra villosa
View of the inflorescence which can carry up to 20 individual flowers. (Flynn, WA, 27 / 09 / 2020)
Thelymitra villosa
A comparison with the size of a thumb illustrates the large size of the flowers. (Flynn, WA, 27 / 09 / 2020)
Thelymitra villosa
View of the full plant. (Flynn, WA, 27 / 09 / 2020)
Thelymitra villosa
The relatively short but broad leaf sits at the base of the flower stem. (Dunsborough, WA, 20 / 09 / 2018)
Thelymitra villosa
Habitat of the Custard Orchid in the western Wheatbelt. (Flynn, WA, 18 / 10 / 2020)

References