Thelymitra x truncata

Truncate Sun Orchid at suppressed

Thelymitra x truncata at suppressed - 16 Oct 2022
Thelymitra x truncata at suppressed - 16 Oct 2022
Request use of media

Identification history

Thelymitra x truncata 22 Nov 2022 DerekC
Thelymitra ixioides 17 Oct 2022 Aussiegall

Identify this sighting


Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

3 comments

DerekC wrote:
   17 Oct 2022
The post-anther lobe does not support T. ixioides or T. juncifolia which have crowded bands of long glands. In those species these glands are unusual and quite distinct. The column in this species is different to the other spotted forms with the post-anther lobe not having those row or rows of glands. If you can see a guide book that shows closeups of the columns it is clearer what this difference is. Your photos show it very well, nice photos.
Aussiegall wrote:
   18 Oct 2022
Thanks for that information, interesting to know the differences
DerekC wrote:
   22 Nov 2022
I believe I need to revisit this as though it has the general features of T. simulata it also does not quite look correct and I think this is actually a named natural hybrid called Thelymitra x truncata. While I previously correctly identified the absence of glands on the post-anther lobe being the reason it was neither T. ixioides or T. juncifolia, I did then overlook how large the yellow collar was. Where in T. simulata this is narrower with a larger opening, t. x truncata the yellow band is larger and more complete closing down to a smaller opening. T. simulata (like T. ixioides & T. juncifolia) also only has spots on the petals and dorsal sepal, where if you look there are pale spots on the labellum a feature I have only observed on some T. x truncata. It appears t. x truncata is used for stable hybrids formed from a cross from either T. ixioides or T. juncifolia and a member of the T. pauciflora complex (possibly T. brevifolia, T. pauciflora and T. peniculata). These hybrids occur sporadically where the parents grow in close proximity. I think the T. x truncata may include different hybrids forms depending on which combination of parents are responsible and just adding even more variability to a genus already represented by many/mostly stable hybrid forms recognised as separate species. The current c. 100 recognised species are all related back in varying complicated combinations to just 16 true (pure) parent species, and from that hybridized background even newer hybrid forms result.

Please Login or Register to comment.

Sighting information

  • 1 - 3 Abundance
  • 16 Oct 2022 11:17 AM Recorded on
  • Aussiegall Recorded by

Additional information

  • 10cm to 30cm Plant height
  • True In flower

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
2,148,925 sightings of 19,884 species in 6,408 locations from 11,278 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.