| Short-nosed donkey orchid | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
 Priority Two — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Diuris |
| Species: | D. brevis |
| Binomial name | |
| Diuris brevis D.L.Jones & C.J.French | |
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.
Description
Diuris brevis is a tuberous, perennial herb, usually growing to a height of 200–300 mm (7.9–11.8 in) with two or three linear leaves 100–150 mm (3.9–5.9 in) long and 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) wide. There are up to four yellow and brown flowers, 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) wide on slender pedicels 10–25 mm (0.39–0.98 in) long. The flowers have erect, widely-spreading, ear-like petals 14–18 mm (0.55–0.71 in) long, a dorsal sepal 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long and 6–9 mm (0.24–0.35 in) wide, and narrowly oblong, reddish-brown lateral sepals 11–16 mm (0.43–0.63 in) long. The labellum has three lobes, the lateral ones widely spreading, and the middle lobe very short and flattish with down-curved edges and a smooth yellow callus. Flowering occurs from mid-August to September.
Taxonomy and naming
Diuris brevis was first formally described in 2016 by David Jones and Christopher French in Australian Orchid Review from specimens they collected in the Kenwick Swamp in 1997. The specific epithet (brevis) means "short ", referring to the mid-lobe of the labellum.
Distribution and habitat
Short-nosed donkey orchid is only known from the type location where it grows in dense, low shrubland.
Conservation
Diuris brevis is listed as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.
References
- "Diuris brevis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Diuris brevis". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ 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. 215. ISBN 9780980348149.
- ^ 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): 33–35. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- "Diuris brevis". APNI. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Diuris brevis | |