Winter donkey orchid (Diuris brumalis)
Description
Diuris brumalis is a tuberous, perennial herb, usually growing to a height of 200–500 mm (8–20 in). Two or three leaves emerge at the base of the flowering stem, each leaf 150–200 mm (6–8 in) long and 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide. Between three and fifteen yellow and brown flowers are borne on the flowering stem and each is 20–40 mm (0.8–2 in) long and 20–30 mm (0.8–1 in) wide. The dorsal sepal is erect, 6–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long and 7–15 mm (0.3–0.6 in) wide and the greenish lateral sepals are 12–24 mm (0.5–0.9 in) long, about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and turn downwards. The ear-like petals are erect with a stalk 2–6 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long and a blade 10–18 mm (0.4–0.7 in) long and 6–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) wide. The labellum has three lobes, the lateral ones 6–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long and 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. The middle lobe is wedge-shaped, 5–9 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long and 3–7 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide. There is a single yellow ridge 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) in the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering occurs from June to August.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Asparagales
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Family: Orchidaceae
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Genus: Diuris
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