Thelymitra × macmillanii


Thelymitra × macmillanii, commonly called the red sun orchid or crimson sun orchid is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single tapering, channelled leaf and up to five bright red, sometimes yellow flowers. It is a natural hybrid between T. antennifera and T. carnea or T. rubra.

Description

Thelymitra × macmillanii is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single channelled, tapering linear leaf long and wide. Up to six bright red, sometimes yellow flowers wide are arranged on a flowering stem tall. There are one or two bracts along the flowering stem. The sepals and petals are long. The column is the same colour as the petals, oval and long. The lobe on the top of the anther is very small and warty. The side lobes are variable but mostly long and rough or warty all over. Flowering occurs from August to September.

Taxonomy and naming

Thelymitra × macmillanii was first formally described in 1865 by Ferdinand von Mueller from a specimen collected near Mount Eliza and Mount Martha, and the description was published in Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae. The specific epithet honours "T.McMillan" who collected the type specimen.

Distribution and habitat

The red sun orchid grows in grassland, woodland and forest where its parent species grow together. It is found in central and western Victoria and in the south-east of South Australia.