Diuris chrysantha

Last updated

Granite donkey orchid
Diuris chrysantha.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Diuris
Species:
D. chrysantha
Binomial name
Diuris chrysantha
Synonyms [1]
  • Diuris sp. (Jollys Falls J.Loveday 31)
  • Diuris sp. aff. chrysantha (North Coast)
  • Diuris aureaauct. non Sm.: Bailey, F.M. (1902)

Diuris chrysantha, commonly known as granite donkey orchid, [2] is a species of orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has one or two leaves and up to seven deep golden to orange-coloured flowers with brown markings and occurs on the ranges and tablelands north from Tamworth to the Darling Downs.

Contents

Description

Diuris chrysantha is a tuberous, perennial herb with one or two linear leaves 120–360 mm (5–10 in) long, 4–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide and folded lengthwise. Between two and seven deep golden to orange-coloured flowers with brown markings and 18–20 mm (0.7–0.8 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 150–320 mm (6–10 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is erect, egg-shaped, 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The lateral sepals are linear to spatula-shaped, 12–18 mm (0.5–0.7 in) long, 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide and turned downwards. The petals are more or less circular in shape, 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and wide on a brown stalk 4–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and held ear-like above the rest of the flower. The labellum is 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and has three lobes. The centre lobe is heart-shaped to wedge shaped, 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide and the side lobes are egg-shaped, 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.12 in) wide. There are two callus ridges 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long and spreading apart from each other near the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering occurs from August to November. [2] [3]

Taxonomy and naming

Diuris chrysantha was first formally described in 1987 by David Jones and Mark Clements from a specimen collected near Stanthorpe and the description was published in Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland . [4] The specific epithet (chrysantha) is derived from the Ancient Greek words chrysos meaning "gold" [5] :203 and anthos meaning "flower". [5] :94

Distribution and habitat

The granite donkey orchid grows in grassy forest on the ranges and tablelands north from Tamworth to the Darling Downs. [2] [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Diuris brumalis</i> Species of orchid

Diuris brumalis, commonly known as the winter donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is one of the first species of donkey orchid to flower in Western Australia each year and its flowers have been shown to attract the same insects that pollinate other species, but without offering a food reward.

<i>Diuris aurea</i> Species of orchid

Diuris aurea, commonly known as the golden donkey orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to Australia, growing in New South Wales and Queensland. It has one or two leaves at the base and two to five golden-yellow to orange flowers with some darker markings.

<i>Diuris alba</i> Species of orchid

Diuris alba, commonly called the white donkey orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to eastern Australia. It has up to three leaves, and a flowering stem with up to seven white flowers with purplish markings.

<i>Diuris brevifolia</i> Species of orchid

Diuris brevifolia, commonly known as the short-leaved donkey orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to South Australia. It has a few narrow, twisted leaves and a flowering stem with up to five bright yellow flowers with brown markings and relatively large, spreading lobes on the labellum. This is a relatively late-flowering species of donkey orchid.

<i>Diuris punctata</i> Species of orchid

Diuris punctata, commonly known as the purple donkey orchid is a species of orchid which is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It has two grass-like leaves and up to ten purple or mauve flowers, often with darker, sometimes yellow marks. A yellow form from near Guyra is probably now extinct.

Diuris amplissima, commonly known as giant donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a rare species and the largest Diuris in Western Australia. It has two or three leaves at its base and up to seven purple and dull yellowish-brown flowers on a tall flowering stem.

<i>Diuris arenaria</i> Species of orchid

Diuris arenaria, commonly known as the Tomaree donkey orchid or sand doubletail is a species of orchid which is endemic to a very small area of New South Wales. It has two grass-like leaves and up to nine mauve or light purple and white flowers. It has a very limited distribution near Newcastle.

Diuris heberlei, commonly called Heberle's donkey orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has three to five linear leaves at its base and up to four bright yellow flowers with a reddish brown border around the labellum callus. It is found along the south coast and is one of the last Diuris to flower in Western Australia.

Diuris luteola, commonly called the northern doubletail, is a species of orchid which is endemic to Queensland. It has a single linear leaf at its base and up to six pale yellow flowers with a few brown markings. It grows in shallow, stony soil on tablelands in eastern parts of the state.

<i>Diuris oporina</i> Species of orchid

Diuris oporina, commonly called the autumn donkey orchid or northern white donkeys tails is a species of orchid that is endemic to Queensland. It has a single tapering, linear leaf at its base and up to ten white flowers with mauve to purple markings. It grows in the drier parts of the tablelands in Far North Queensland.

<i>Diuris pedunculata</i> Species of orchid

Diuris pedunculata, commonly known as the small snake orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to New South Wales. It usually has two leaves at its base and one or two yellow and orange flowers with purple markings. It originally occurred in scattered populations between Tenterfield and the Hawkesbury River but because of habitat loss is now only known from the New England Tableland.

<i>Diuris picta</i> Species of orchid

Diuris picta, commonly called the granite bee orchid or granite donkey orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has between three and five leaves at its base and up to eight creamy-white to yellow flowers with brownish purple markings. It grows on granite outcrops between Menzies and Lake King.

<i>Diuris pulchella</i> Species of orchid

Diuris pulchella, commonly called the beautiful donkey orchid is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-eastern part of the south-west of Western Australia. It has two or three leaves at its base and up to five bright yellow and mauve flowers described as "exquisite", "spectacular" and "attractive". It grows in shallow soil on granite outcrops near Esperance.

<i>Diuris recurva</i> Species of orchid

Diuris recurva, commonly called the mini donkey orchid is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has one or two leaves at its base, up to six small pale yellow and brownish flowers and grows in winter-wet places between Badgingarra and Kalbarri.

Diuris secundiflora, commonly known as the one-sided donkey orchid, is a poorly-known species of orchid that is endemic to New South Wales. It has a single grass-like leaf and up to eight yellow flowers that are sometimes spotted and are all arranged on one side of the flowering stem.

<i>Diuris semilunulata</i> Species of orchid

Diuris semilunulata, commonly known as the late leopard orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. It has two grass-like leaves and up to five orange-coloured flowers with brown and purple blotches.

<i>Diuris setacea</i> Species of orchid

Diuris setacea, commonly called the bristly donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a tuft of up to ten twisted leaves at its base and up to seven yellow flowers with a few brown markings. It grows in moist soil on granite outcrops and flowers much more prolifically after fire the previous summer.

<i>Diuris tricolor</i> Species of orchid

Diuris tricolor, commonly known as the long-tailed donkey orchid or pine donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has up to three grass-like leaves and up to six orange-coloured to yellow flowers with white and purplish tints. The lateral sepals are unusually long.

Diuris unica is a species of orchid which is endemic to eastern Australia. It usually has only one grass-like leaf at its base and up to eight bright, lemon-yellow flowers with a few dark markings. It is similar to D. chrysantha but flowers much earlier than that species and has only a single leaf rather than two.

<i>Diuris brachyscapa</i> Species of orchid

Diuris brachyscapa, commonly known as western wheatbelt donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has two or three linear leaves and a flowering stem with up to four pale yellow flowers with brown markings.

References

  1. 1 2 "Diuris chrysantha". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 129. ISBN   1877069124.
  3. 1 2 Jones, David L. "Diuris chrysantha". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  4. "Duiris chrysantha". APNI. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  5. 1 2 Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.