About Thelymitra campanulata Lindl.
Thelymitra campanulata Lindl., commonly called the bell sun orchid, is a tuberous, perennial herb. It produces a single leaf that is 100 to 250 millimeters (4 to 10 inches) long and 3 to 6 millimeters (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. Between two and fifteen dark blue or mauve, cup-shaped flowers, with broad darker blue stripes and 15 to 20 millimeters (0.6 to 0.8 inches) wide, grow on a flowering stem 200 to 500 millimeters (8 to 20 inches) tall. Its sepals and petals are 7 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long and 4 to 6 millimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) wide. The dark blue column of the flower is divided into three parts and has black and yellow tips. The lobe on the top of the anther is short and bears crowded, finger-like glands. The side lobes have hairbrush-like tufts of white or yellow hairs. The flowers are insect pollinated and only open in sunny weather. Flowering takes place in September and October, and occurs more prolifically after fire. This orchid is widespread between Kalbarri and Israelite Bay, and is more common in coastal and near-coastal areas. It often grows in sandy soil under shrubs, and is especially common in Kalbarri National Park.
