Thelymitra crenulata

Thelymitra crenulata is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single erect, fleshy, channelled, linear leaf 60–200 mm (2–8 in) long and 1–3 mm (0.04–0.1 in) wide with a purplish base. Up to seven deep blue flowers with darker veins, 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 150–300 mm (6–10 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 4–5 mm (0.2–0.2 in) wide. The column is blue, about 4 mm (0.2 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The lobe on the top of the anther is tube-shaped, curved forwards and dark brown with a yellow tip. The side lobes curve sharply upwards and have mop-like tufts of white hairs on their ends. The flowers open for only a short period on warm, sunny days. Flowering occurs between late October and mid-November but often for only a week. Flowering is more prolific after a wet spring.[2]

Thelymitra crenulata was first formally described in 2010 by Robert Bates from a specimen he collected near Glencoe in 2003. The description was published in the Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden.[3] The specific epithet (crenulata) is a Latin word meaning "minutely crenate,[4] referring to the crinkled anther lobe.[2]

Thelymitra crenulata grows in disturbed areas such as firebreaks and tracks in heath near waterholes. It is only known from near Mount Gambier.[2]