Kingdom Plantae Family Orchidaceae Tribe Diurideae Scientific name Thelymitra crinita | Order Asparagales Subfamily Orchidoideae Subtribe Thelymitrinae Rank Species | |
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Similar Thelymitra, Thelymitra macrophylla, Thelymitra ixioides, Thelymitra antennifera, Thelymitra pauciflora | ||
Thelymitra crinita, commonly known as the blue lady orchid, the queen orchid, the lily orchid or the long-haired thelymitra, is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia.
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Description
Thelymitra crinita is a tuberous, perennial herb growing to about 70 cm in height. The leaves are about 16 cm x 4.5 cm, broadly lance-shaped and dark green. The flowers vary from pale to dark blue and there are up to ten flowers on the flower stalk. It flowers between September and November.
Taxonomy and naming
The blue lady orchid was first described in 1839 by John Lindley in A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony. The specific epithet (crinita) is a Latin word meaning "hairy".
Distribution and habitat
Thelymitra crinita occurs in the Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographic regions growing on grey-white sand and loamy clay.
Conservation
The blue lady orchid is common in its range and is classified as not threatened at present.
