Thelymitra brevifolia, commonly called the peppertop sun orchid or short-leaf sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single erect, relatively short and broad, dark green leaf and up to twenty purplish or purplish blue flowers. It is a common and widespread self-pollinating species occurring in a wide range of habitats.
Thelymitra brevifolia is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single erect, dark green, linear to lance-shaped leaf NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide often with reddish blotches. Between two and twenty purplish or purplish blue flowers NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide are arranged on a flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 tall. The sepals and petals are NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The column is pale blue or pale pink, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The lobe on the top of the anther varies in colour from yellow to black with a yellow tip and is scarcely inflated. The side lobes curve gently upwards and have mop-like tufts of white hairs. Flowering occurs from September to November but the flowers are self-pollinating and only open on hot days, and then only slowly.[1] [2] [3]
Thelymitra brevifolia was first formally described in 2004 by Jeff Jeanes and the description was published in Muelleria from a specimen collected in St Andrews.[4] The specific epithet (brevifolia) means "short-leaved".[5]
The peppertop sun orchid is widespread and locally common in the south-east of New South Wales, in Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, south-eastern South Australia and on the north and east coasts of Tasmania. It grows in a wide range of habitats from heath to forest and woodland, often growing in disturbed sites.