Based on forms seen on
the Tomaree Peninsula.
All sepals and petals including the
labellum similar. Thelymitra. 1
1. Flower pink. Leaf circular in section,
less than 3 mm dia. Thelymitra carnea
1. Not as above.
2
2. Column bent forward forming a hood.
The opening facing forward. 4
2. Column not bent forward. The U
shaped opening, with an inner ridge
outer fingers, and a pair of auxiliary
lobes faces up. 3
3. Fingers long mostly yellow. Auxiliary
lobes wavy. Thelymitra purpurata
3. Fingers short mostly dark. Auxiliary
lobes jagged. Thelymitra ixioides
4. Leaf concave. Not fleshy. Three ribs
or angles obvious on the back. 5
4. Leaf V shaped. Fleshy. Only the
angle of the V obvious on the back. 6
5. Hood centreline a bit depressed at
the front. Top of opening a broad V. In
profile the top is a convex arc, the nose
short and tapered. Thelymitra brevifolia
5. The hood has a narrow deep V, U or
cleft on top. Thelymitra angustifolia
5. Hood tapers forward to an opening
which from the front looks small and
circular. Tufts coloured or sometimes
white. Large form of Thelymitra malvina
6. In profile the hood looks flattened,
the extension forward is long, shallow
and does not taper.
6. In profile the hood over the top and
around the front is evenly convex.
No deep cleft back from the opening.
6. In profile the hood abruptly flattens
on the forward half of the top then
curves tightly to a vertical front.
6. Leaf 3 wide. Column as for Malvina.
Small form of Thelymitra malvina
Note 1. For use with living plants.
2.The separation of purpurata
and ixioides is questionable.
3. Stunted plants may have different leaves.
Hood details are the real key.