Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.

Least concern

Near threatened

Rare

Vulnerable

Endangered

Critically endangered

Extinct

Data deficient

Adelaide

Arkaroola

Ceduna

Coober Pedy

Hawker

Innamincka

Marla

Marree

Mount Gambier

Oodnadatta

Renmark

Wudinna

Keith

Yunta

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LEGEND

Fleurieu (KAN02)

Kanmantoo

Critically Endangered   (IUCN: CR B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v); D)   (Probable Decline)   [only recently known, records not yet databased; endemic; Springton type location; < 50 plants known; habitat decline; only known at Kuitpo]

Prior names

Thelymitra sp. Springton (R.Bates 64102)

Thelymitra sp. Springton (R.Bates 63666)

Thelymitra pauciflora var. holmesii, partly

Common names

Blue Star Sun-orchid

Slender Swamp Sun-orchid

Etymology

Thelymitra from Greek 'thelys' meaning a bishop and 'mitra' meaning a headwear, hat, hence a bishop's mitre; referring to the sometimes plumed or decorated wings of the column, which is usually produced behind and over the anther in a hood-like projection. Hygrophila from the Greek 'hugros' meaning water and 'phelos' meaning love, referring to the plant's affinity for moist soil or is restricted to the vicinity of waterholes.

Distribution and status

Endemic to South Australia and found only in the higher parts of the southern Mount Lofty Ranges, growing in river red gum grassy flats in or around the edges of ephemeral pools. Native. Very rare in South Australia.
Herbarium regions: Murray, Southern Lofty
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

A clumping terrestrial orchid growing to 40 cm tall. Leaves erect, dark green to 300 mm long and 6 mm wide and sheath the stem up to 6 cm from the base of the plant. Inflorescence a long spike with one to five star-shaped, pale-blue flowers, to 20 mm in diameter opening in warm weather. Flowers in October and last for three weeks. Fruits are brown papery ellipsoid capsule.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between November and December. Collect fat capsules as they start to dry and turn brown. Pods will split and release the seeds quickly and will require monitoring. To increase the chances of collecting mature pods, it is recommended that a small breathable bag (ie. Organza bags) be used to enclose the developing capsules. Place the capsules in a container that will hold fine seeds and leave to dry for a few weeks or until the capsule split. Then carefully hold the capsule and tap it gently to release the seeds. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place or in liquid nitrogen.