Diuris basaltica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Little golden moths | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Diuris basaltica with the bee Lasioglossum cognatum | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Diuris |
| Species: | D. basaltica |
| Binomial name | |
| Diuris basaltica | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Diuris basaltica, commonly known as little golden moths,[2] or small golden moths[3] is a species of orchid which is endemic to Victoria. The species has suffered a catastrophic reduction in range and distribution as a result of clearing for agriculture, then by urban expansion until only about four hundred plants remain in the wild.
Diuris basaltica is a tuberous, perennial herb 60–150 mm (2–6 in) tall with between three and seven linear, green leaves, each 30–100 mm (1–4 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) wide. There are up to three bright golden yellow to orange-yellow flowers, 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) wide with a few dark streaks. The flowers often do not open widely and lean downwards. The dorsal sepal is 7–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long, 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide and more or less erect. The lateral sepals curve downwards, 10–16 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long, 1.5–2.5 mm (0.06–0.1 in) wide. The ear-like petals are egg-shaped, 6–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long, 3.5–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide with a green stalk, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. The labellum has three lobes, the lateral ones small, wedge-shaped and pimply. The middle lobe is broadly egg-shaped, 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long, 7–11 mm (0.3–0.4 in) wide with two widely separated ridges near the base and a central ridge extending almost to its tip. Flowering occurs from September to October.[2][4]
Taxonomy and naming
Diuris basaltica was first formally described in 2006 by David Jones and the description was published in Australian Orchid Review.[5] The specific epithet (basaltica) is a Latin word referring to the soils derived from basalt in which this orchid grows.[6]