Thelymitra spiralis

Thelymitra spiralis (Lindl.) F.Muell.

Macdonaldia spiralis

Curly Locks

Thelymitra spiralis/spiralis (Lobed Sun Orchids)

John Lindley in A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony: l. (1840) as Macdonaldia spiralis

Perth to Harvey and Walpole to Mount Manypeaks Nature Reserve, growing in seasonally damp to wet soils around the margins of swamps. The species has not been seen in the Perth area for some years and is rare elsewhere.

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A rare species 100–300 mm high with a narrow, smooth leaf 50–100 mm long by 3–8 mm wide at its widest point and up to three mauve-pink to pale-pink flowers 40–60 mm across.

It is distinguished from Eastern Curly-locks (Thelymitra maculata) and Northern Curly-locks (T. sp. ‘Kalbarri’) by its slightly larger flowers and narrower column with narrower, more erect lateral lobes. It also has a preference for swampy habitat.

Not Listed