Green Range donkey orchid | |
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Near Middleton Beach | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Orchidaceae |
Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
Tribe: | Diurideae |
Genus: | Diuris |
Species: | D. littoralis |
Binomial name | |
Diuris littoralis | |
Diuris littoralis, commonly known as Green Range donkey orchid, [2] is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has two or three linear leaves and up to six yellow, brown and mauve flowers from late July to early September.
Diuris littoralis is a tuberous, perennial herb with two or three linear leaves 80–200 mm (3.1–7.9 in) long and 3–8 mm (0.12–0.31 in) wide. Up to six yellow flowers with brown and mauve markings, 25–35 mm (0.98–1.38 in) long and 25–30 mm (0.98–1.18 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 180–300 mm (7.1–11.8 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, 8–11 mm (0.31–0.43 in) long and 8–13 mm (0.31–0.51 in) wide, the lateral sepals narrowly oblong, parallel or crossed, 12–19 mm (0.47–0.75 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) wide. The petals are more or less broadly elliptic, 12–14 mm (0.47–0.55 in) long and 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in) wide on a stalk 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long. The labellum is 7–9 mm (0.28–0.35 in) long with three lobes - the centre lobe wedge-shaped with down-curved edges, 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long and 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) wide, the side lobes spread widely apart and oblong, 7–9 mm (0.28–0.35 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) wide. There is a single smooth, yellow callus ridge along the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering occurs from late July to early September. [3] [4]
Diuris littoralis was first formally described in 2016 by David Jones and Christopher J. French in Australian Orchid Review, from a specimen collected by Jones near the hospital in Spencer Park in 1986. [5] The specific epithet (littoralis) means "belonging to the sea shore", referring to the coastal or near-coastal habitat of this species. [4] [6]
Green Range donkey orchid grows in coastal and near-coastal shrublands and woodlands on well-drained laterite, in clay near streams and in shallow sand over limestone between Denmark and Esperance in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Mallee bioregions of south-western Western Australia. [2] [3] [4]
Diuris littoralis is listed as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. [2]
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.
Diuris drummondii, commonly known as the tall donkey orchid is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is the tallest Diuris and is distinguished from the similar Diuris emarginata by its larger, more widely spaced flowers. The flowers are pale yellow with brown markings.
Diuris conspicillata, commonly called the spectacled donkey orchid is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an uncommon species, only found on two coastal granite outcrops, growing in shallow soil pockets.
Diuris magnifica, commonly called the large pansy orchid is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has large, colourful flowers and is common in a narrow range near the coast around Perth, often occurring with the similar but smaller Diuris corymbosa.
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 concinna, commonly called the elegant donkey orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has up to five linear leaves at its base and up to five pale yellow flowers with brown markings. It is found along the south coast, often growing in areas that are flooded in winter and flowering more prolifically after fire the previous summer.
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 immaculata, commonly known as the little Esperance bee orchid, is a rare species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has between four and six leaves and up to three golden yellow flowers without markings. It is only known from near Esperance.
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.
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.
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.
Diuris purdiei, commonly known as Purdie's donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has between five and ten leaves at its base and up to eight pale yellow flowers with reddish-brown or purplish markings. It mainly grows in swampy areas and only flowers after fires the previous summer.
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 jonesii, commonly known as Dunsborough donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has large, yellow, brown and mauve flowers and is found in near-coastal areas between Dunsborough and Augusta.
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.
Diuris brevis, commonly known as short-nosed donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to a restricted area in the south-west of Western Australia. It has two or three linear leaves and a flowering stem with up to four small yellow and brown flowers with a short labellum.
Diuris brockmanii, commonly known as south coast 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 ten yellow flowers with reddish-brown markings.
Diuris cruenta, commonly known as Kemerton 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 seven pale yellow and reddish-brown flowers, and is similar to D. tinctoria.
Diuris hazeliae, commonly known as yellow granite donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has between two and four linear leaves and up to six bright yellow and reddish-brown flowers.
Diuris insignis, commonly known as dark bee orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has between two and six narrowly linear to thread-like leaves and up to five yellow flowers with many dark red markings.