Thelymitra apiculata

Thelymitra apiculata (A.S.George) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones

Thelymitra variegata var. apiculata; Macdonaldia apiculata

Cleopatra's Needles

Thelymitra spiralis/variegata (Lobed Sun Orchids, the Queens)

Alexander George in Nuytsia 5(1): 62, fig. 3I. (1984) as Thelymitra variegata var. apiculata

West of Mogumber to Mount Lesueur, growing amongst low shrubs and sedges on the top of lateritic hills.

· · · · May Jun Jul · · · · ·

An early flowering species 200–350 mm high with a narrow, smooth, curved or spirally twisted leaf 40–80 mm long by 5–10 mm wide at its wide St point and up to seven (rarely to 12) attractive pink, mauve or purple, yellow marked flowers 25 to 30 mm across.

It is distinguished from the related Queen of Sheba (Thelymitra variegata) by its smaller flowers, needle-pointed lateral column lobes, earlier flowering period and more northerly distribution.

Priority Four