Diuris pallescens

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Diuris pallescens
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. pallescens
Binomial name
Diuris pallescens

Diuris pallescens, commonly known as pale donkey orchid, [2] is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has two or three linear to lance-shaped leaves and up to seven pale yellow flowers with light brown to reddish-brown markings.

Contents

Description

Diuris pallescens is a tuberous, perennial herb with two or three linear to lance-shaped leaves 150–300 mm (5.9–11.8 in) long and 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) wide. Up to seven pale yellow flowers with light brown to reddish-brown markings, 25–30 mm (0.98–1.18 in) long and 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 150–350 mm (5.9–13.8 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long and 7–9 mm (0.28–0.35 in) wide, the lateral sepals narrowly oblong, down-turned and crossed, 10–14 mm (0.39–0.55 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) wide. The petals are broadly elliptic to more or less round, 8–14 mm (0.31–0.55 in) long and 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) wide on a stalk 3.0–4.5 mm (0.12–0.18 in) long. The labellum is 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long with three lobes - the centre lobe wedge-shaped, 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) wide, the side lobes spread widely apart and oblong, 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long and 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide. There is a single smooth, yellow callus ridge 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long, along the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering occurs from late August to mid-September. [2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy and naming

Diuris pallescens was first formally described in 2016 by David Jones and Christopher J. French in Australian Orchid Review, from a specimen collected by French in the Caron Nature Reserve near Perenjori in 2005. [5] The specific epithet (pallescens) means "pale", "wan" or "becoming paler", referring to the colour of the flowers. [4] [6]

Distribution and habitat

Pale donkey orchid grows in low, heathy shrubland, often near granite outcrops, and mainly in the area between Three Springs, Coorow and Dalwallinu in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Geraldton Sandplains and Mallee bioregions of south-western Western Australia. [2] [3] [4]

Conservation

Diuris pallescens is listed as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. [2]

Related Research Articles

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

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.

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

Diuris laxiflora, commonly known as bee orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It has two to five narrowly linear leaves and up to six yellow flowers with brown markings. It is a small orchid, common within its range and about half the size of the common donkey orchid, Diuris corymbosa.

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

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 eburnea is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has between four and six linear leaves and up to eight pale yellow to cream-coloured flowers with reddish markings. It is only known from near the Arrowsmith River north of Eneabba.

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 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 purdiei</i> Species of orchid

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.

<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.

<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.

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.

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

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.

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

Diuris carecta, commonly known as sedge-loving donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the west of Western Australia. It has two or three linear leaves and a tall flowering stem with up to six yellow and brown flowers with strongly curved lateral sepals.

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.

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

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.

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

Diuris leopardina is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It has between two or three grass-like leaves of different lengths, and a flowering stem with up to five pale yellow to butter yellow flowers with reddish brown or purple marks and patterns, and leopard-like spots on the back.

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

Diuris littoralis, commonly known as Green Range 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 up to six yellow, brown and mauve flowers from late July to early September.

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

Diuris oraria, commonly known as northern coastal donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to a small area of the north coast of Western Australia. It has two or three linear to lance-shaped leaves and up to four yellow flowers with reddish-brown and purple markings.

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

Diuris ostrina, commonly known as Darling Scarp donkey orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has two or three linear to lance-shaped leaves and up to five brown to brownish-yellow and purple-mauve flowers.

References

  1. "Diuris pallescens". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Diuris pallescens". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. 1 2 Brown, Andrew; Dixon, Kingsley; French, Christopher; Hopper, Stephen (2008). Orchids of Western Australia. Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. p. 214. ISBN   9780980348149.
  4. 1 2 3 Jones, David L.; French, Christopher J. (2016). "Eight new species in the Diuris corymbosa Lindley complex (Orchidaceae) from Western Australia". Australian Orchid Review. 81 (2): 41–42. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  5. "Duiris pallescens". APNI. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  6. Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 269. ISBN   9780958034180.