Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Orchidaceae Juss.
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Thelymitra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst., Char. Gen. Pl. 49 (1775)
Vernacular Name(s):
Sun orchid
 Description

Raceme of few to c. 20 fls, sts reduced to one; floral bracts large, us. exceeding ovary. Per. glab., opening widely in sun; dorsal sepal uppermost, similar to lateral sepals and to petals. Labellum similar to petals and sepals, though sts differing slightly in shape. Column short, erect; wings joined in front at base and variously lobed and ornamented at sides and often behind anther; anther ± erect, us. partly or wholly hidden by wings, connective often produced into a short point, pollinia 2 per cell, pollen finely granular; stigma broad, flat, ± bilobed above, us. overlapping base of anther; rostellum small and narrow. Plants terrestrial, glab.; tubers ovoid, new one produced at base of parent plant. Lf solitary, sheathing at base, linear to lanceolate, often thick and fleshy; cauline bracts 1–2, foliaceous.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
Number of species in New Zealand within Thelymitra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
CategoryNumber
Indigenous (Endemic)8
Indigenous (Non-endemic)7
Total15
 Bibliography
Forster, J.R.; Forster, G. 1775: Characteres Generum Plantarum:quas in itinere ad insulas maris Australis, collegerunt, descripserunt, delinearunt, annis 1772-1775. Edition 1. London.
Hatch, E.D. 1952: The New Zealand Forms of Thelymitra J. R. and G. Forster and Appendices. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 79: 386–402.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.