Thelymitra queenslandica, commonly called the northern sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to Queensland. It has a single long, grass-like leaf and up to fifteen dark blue to purplish, sometimes white or pinkish flowers with white or pink tufts on top of the anther. It is readily distinguished by its northerly distribution and early flowering period.
Thelymitra queenslandica is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single erect, channelled, green, linear to lance-shaped leaf NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide with a purplish base. Between four and fifteen dark blue to purplish, sometimes white or pinkish flowers NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide are borne 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 to pinkish, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide. The lobe on the top of the anther is tan-coloured to brown with a yellow tip. The side lobes curve upwards and have mop-like tufts of white or pink hairs. The flowers are long-lasting, insect-pollinated and open on warm sunny days. Flowering occurs from June to September.[1] [2] [3]
Thelymitra queenslandica was first formally described in 2013 by Jeff Jeanes from a specimen collected near Herberton by David Jones and the description was published in Muelleria.[4] The specific epithet (queenslandica) refers to "the state of Queensland where this species is apparently endemic."
The northern sun orchid mainly grows on forested slopes and occurs between Paluma and Mount Finnigan.