southern curly locks

Thelymitra uliginosa is a tuberous, perennial herb with a dark green leaf which is egg-shaped near the purplish base, then suddenly narrows to a linear, curved or spirally twisted upper part. The upper part is 30–80 mm (1–3 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide. There is usually only a single pink, mauve, blue or purplish flower with darker veins and sometimes darker blotches, 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) wide borne on a flowering stem 100–200 mm (4–8 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The column is a similar colour to the petals, about 3 mm (0.1 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide with a cluster of small glands on its back. There are two narrow yellow arms on the sides of the column. The flowers are self-pollinating, short-lived and only open on hot days. Flowering occurs in August and September and more prolifically after fire.

Southern curly locks grows in shrubby vegetation in and around winter-wet areas and swamps. It is found mainly between Northcliffe and Mount Manypeaks but there are disjunct populations near Perth and Esperance, in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Warren biogeographic regions.