Citation: Endl., Nov. Stirp. Dec. 23 (1839).

Synonymy: Macdonaldia smithiana, Thelymitra smithiana

Common name: Twisted sun-orchid.

Description:
A very slender species, usually 15-20 cm high; leaf terete above its opening, 7-8 cm long; stem very wiry, flexuose; stem bracts 2, situated at points of flexion.

Flowers small, yellow, 1 or 2, opening on hot days; perianth-segments very obtuse; sepals concave, ovate; petals oval, c. 7 mm long, the labellum segment rather shorter and narrower than the others; column erect, c. 4.5 mm high, not hooded, widely winged; the wings only very slightly produced at the sides into rounded-dentate lobes; post-anther lobe slightly notched and rather higher than the side lobules; all very much shorter than the anther; anther situated entirely above the stigma, apex produced into a large oblong fleshy downy anther point, greatly exceeding the lobes of the wings; pollinia 4 (in 2 pairs), directly connected with the viscid disk; stigma somewhat rectangular; flower self-pollinated.

Published illustration: Fitzgerald (1888) Australian orchids vol. 2, pt 3; Gray (1971) Victorian native orchids 2:41; Hoffman & Brown (1984) Orchids of south-west Australia, p. 16.

Distribution:  Occurs singly or as small clumps of plants in soil which is very wet in winter, in open forest or heathland in higher rainfall districts. S.Aust.: EP, SL, KI, SE.   W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Sept. — Nov.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available