Thelymitra atronitida
{{Short description|Species of orchid}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Black-hooded sun orchid
| image =
| image_caption =
| genus = Thelymitra
| species = atronitida
| authority = Jeanes{{WCSP | 203717 | Thelymitra atronitida }}
| synonyms_ref =
| synonyms =
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Thelymitra atronitida, commonly called the black-hooded orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It has a single erect, leathery, leaf and up to eight moderately dark blue, self-pollinating flowers that only open on hot days.
Description
Thelymitra atronitida is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single erect, leathery, channelled, dark green, linear to lance-shaped leaf {{convert|150-350|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|5-12|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide with a purplish base. Between two and eight moderately dark blue flowers {{convert|20-26|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide are arranged along a flowering stem {{convert|300-500|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} tall. The sepals and petals are {{convert|10-13|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|3-8|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. The column is pale blue, {{convert|3-4|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and about {{convert|2|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. The lobe on the top of the anther is glossy black with a yellow inflated tubular, gently curved tip with a notched end. The side lobes curve upwards and have, toothbrush-like tufts of white hairs. Flowering occurs in October and November but the flowers open only on hot days.{{cite book|last1=Jones|first1=David L.|title=A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories|date=2006|publisher=New Holland|location=Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.|isbn=1877069124|page =233}}{{cite web |last1=Jeanes |first1=Jeff A. |last2=Stajsic |first2=Val |title=Thelymitra atronitida |url=https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/748b23b6-4779-4a93-89fc-8ec2a8b05a06 |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria |access-date=1 October 2022}}{{Cite journal |last=Jeanes |first=Jeffrey A. |date=2000 |title=Two new species of Thelymitra (Orchidaceae) from southeastern Australia |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/208804#page/93/mode/1up |journal=Muelleria: An Australian Journal of Botany |volume=14 |pages=91––97 |doi=10.5962/p.190414 |s2cid=90017823 |issn=0077-1813|doi-access=free }}{{Cite journal |last=Jeanes |first=J A |date=2004 |title=A revision of the Thelymitra pauciflora R.Br. (Orchidaceae) complex in Australia |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/277754#page/21/mode/1up |journal=Muelleria: An Australian Journal of Botany |volume=19 |pages=19–79 |doi=10.5962/p.291362 |s2cid=251005920 |issn=0077-1813|doi-access=free }}
Taxonomy and naming
Thelymitra atronitida was first formally described in 2000 by Jeff Jeanes and the description was published in Muelleria from a specimen collected near Genoa.{{cite web|title=Thelymitra atronitida|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/589771|publisher=APNI|accessdate=11 June 2018}} The specific epithet (atronitida) is derived from the Latin words ater meaning "black"{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.}}{{rp|111}} and nitida meaning "bright", "shining" or "elegant",{{rp|481}} referring to the colour of the anther lobe.{{cite journal |last1=Jeanes |first1=Jeffrey A. |date=2000 |title=Two new species of Thelymitra (Orchidaceae) from southeastern Australia |url=https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/documents/Muelleria_14,_p91-97,_Jeanes,_new_Thelymitra.pdf |journal=Muelleria |volume=14 |pages=91–94 |doi=10.5962/p.190414 |s2cid=90017823 |accessdate=11 June 2018}}
Distribution and habitat
The black-hooded sun orchid grows in heathy open forest and grasstree plains in eastern New South Wales, far north-eastern Victoria and eastern Tasmania.
Conservation
This orchid is only known from two locations in New South Wales, where it is classified as "critically endangered" under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.{{cite web |title=Black-hooded Sun Orchid - profile |url=https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=20060 |publisher=New South Wales Government Office of Environment and Heritage |access-date=1 October 2022}} It is only known from five locations in Tasmania and is listed as "endangered" under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 in that state.{{cite web |title=Thelymitra atronitida blackhood sun-orchid |url=https://www.naturalvaluesatlas.tas.gov.au/downloadattachment?id=14591 |publisher=Tasmanian Government Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment |access-date=1 October 2022}}
References
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Category:Endemic orchids of Australia
Category:Orchids of Victoria (state)