Thelymitra J.Forst. & G.Forst.,
Char. Gen. Pl. (1775) 97, t. 49
Terrestrial plants. Subterranean tuber present. Stem very short, 1-leaved. Leaf sheathing at the base, glabrous, dorso-ventrally flattened, not articulate, convolute, herbaceous. Inflorescence terminal, a raceme. Flowers medium-sized, resupinate, variously coloured. Sepals free. Petals free, usually somewhat broader than the sepals. Lip without spur, not mobile, similar to the petals, but often narrower. Column at the apex with two brush-like appendages, column-foot absent. Pollinia 2, sectile, caudicles present, stipe absent, viscidium present.
Distribution
Java, the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia; about 65 species.
Distribution in the Philippines
Luzon (Mt. Province, Benguet); 1 species [Thelymitra javanica Blume].
Habitat
Terrestrial in montane grassland.
Notes
Thelymitra is a predominantly Australian genus of attractive terrestrial orchids. The flowers, which may be bright blue in some species, are distinctive because the lip is similar in shape to the petals. They usually open only when the sun shines.