Thelymitra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.,
Char. Gen. Pl. (1776) 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, Timor, Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia. About 65 species; in New Guinea one species [Thelymitra papuana J.J.Sm.].
Habitat
Terrestrial in grasslands and road banks at high elevations.
Notes
Like Calochilus, Arthrochilus, and Pterostylis, this is a genus that is much more diverse in neighbouring Australia than it is in New Guinea. Thelymitra papuana is a widespread but not very common terrestrial mountain orchid, of which the flowers only open in bright sunshine. The genus is easily recognised by the simple lip, which is similar to the petals, and by the two brush-like appendages at the apex of the column. Several Australian species are quite showy, which can not be said of T. papuana, even if it would open its flowers.