Autumn donkey orchid facts for kids

The Autumn donkey orchid (also known as Diuris oporina) is a special type of orchid. It's often called the northern white donkeys tails because of its unique look. This beautiful flower is only found in Queensland, Australia. It has a long, thin leaf and can grow up to ten white flowers. These flowers often have pretty purple or pinkish-purple markings. You can find them in the drier areas of the tablelands in Far North Queensland.

What Does It Look Like?

The Autumn donkey orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber (a bit like a potato). It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It has one long, thin leaf that is about 100 to 250 millimeters (4 to 10 inches) long. This leaf is about 7 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide and has a reddish-purple base.

Up to ten white flowers grow on a stem that can be 200 to 450 millimeters (8 to 18 inches) tall. These flowers are about 17 to 22 millimeters (0.7 to 0.9 inches) wide. They have lovely mauve, lilac, or purple markings.

• The dorsal sepal (the top part of the flower) points forward. It's shaped like an egg, about 9 to 10 millimeters (0.35 to 0.39 inches) long and 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) wide.
• The lateral sepals (the two side parts) are green and thin. They are about 25 to 35 millimeters (1 to 1.4 inches) long.
• The petals (the main "ears" of the donkey orchid) stand upright. They are egg-shaped, about 6.5 to 8 millimeters (0.26 to 0.31 inches) long. They sit on a purplish-brown stalk.
• The labellum (the "lip" of the orchid) is about 7 to 8 millimeters (0.28 to 0.31 inches) long. It points forward and has three parts, called lobes. The middle lobe is wedge-shaped and has mauve or purple markings. The side lobes are thin and small.
• There are also two small, rounded bumps, called calli, on the labellum.

This orchid usually flowers from March to May, but sometimes it can bloom a bit later.

How It Got Its Name

The Autumn donkey orchid, Diuris oporina, was first officially described in 1991. A botanist named David Jones found a sample near Watsonville, Queensland. He published his description in a scientific book called Australian Orchid Research.

The second part of its scientific name, oporina, comes from an Ancient Greek word, oporinos. This word means "autumnal," which refers to the autumn season. This is because the orchid usually flowers during autumn.

Where It Lives

You can find the Autumn donkey orchid growing on hills and slopes. It prefers forests and woodlands in the drier areas of the Atherton Tableland and Evelyn tablelands in Queensland.