The Star Sun-orchid is a terrestrial orchid growing 15-50 cm high with multiple golden-brown flowers with yellow or orange sepals and petals on a single, robust stem. The column hood is deeply fringed on both sides and usually bright orange in colour. The labellum is simple and unmodified. The central portion is woolly with dense papillate glands. A single, broad lily-like leaf, up to 9 cm long and 4 cm wide clasps the stem at the base.Plants in the Narrogin District tend to have fewer flowers and a smaller stature.
Star Sun-orchid |
Thelymitra stellata
Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Thelymitra stellata
Threats The main identified threats to Star Sun orchid are fire during the growing season browsing by feral rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) broad scale vegetation clearing and increasing fragmentation of habitat (Desmond; 2001 ANRA; 2007).
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