Diuris conspicillata

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.

Spectacled donkey orchid
Diuris conspicillata growing on Frenchmans Peak in the Cape Le Grand National Park
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Diuris
Species:
D. conspicillata
Binomial name
Diuris conspicillata

Description

Diuris conspicillata is a tuberous, perennial herb, usually growing to a height of 150–300 mm (6–10 in) with two or three leaves emerging at the base, each 100–200 mm (4–8 in) long and 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide. There are up to six yellow and brown flowers 30–50 mm (1–2 in) long 20–40 mm (0.8–2 in) wide. The flowers have broad, ear-like petals, a short, relatively wide dorsal sepal and hanging, crossed lateral sepals. The labellum is a narrow wedge shape and has three lobes, the lateral ones broad and spreading, and the middle lobe short and flattened. Flowering occurs from August to September.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

Diuris conspicillata was first formally described in 1991 by David Jones and the description was published in Australian Orchid Review.[1] The specific epithet (conspicillata) refers to the markings on the labellum which give the impression of spectacles.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The spectacled donkey orchid is only known from two populations growing in shallow soil pockets on coastal granite outcrops near Esperance.[2][3][4]

Conservation

Diuris conspicillata is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[4]

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References
  1. "Duiris conspicillata". APNI. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  2. Brown, Andrew; Dixon, Kingsley; French, Christopher; Brockman, Garry (2013). Field guide to the orchids of Western Australia : the definitive guide to the native orchids of Western Australia. Simon Nevill Publications. p. 207. ISBN 9780980348149.
  3. Hoffman, Noel; Brown, Andrew (2011). Orchids of South-West Australia (3rd ed.). Gooseberry Hill: Noel Hoffman. p. 467. ISBN 9780646562322.
  4. "Diuris conspicillata". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
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