Blue Mountains doubletail facts for kids
Diuris platichila, also known as the Blue Mountains doubletail, is a type of orchid. It grows only in a few special spots in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia.
This orchid has two leaves and usually grows between two and eight yellow flowers. These flowers have dark markings on their top part (called the dorsal sepal) and on a special lower petal called the labellum. The Blue Mountains doubletail has long, thin side sepals. The middle part of its labellum is shaped like a wedge. This orchid can also mix with other types of Diuris orchids to create new kinds, called hybrids.
Quick facts for kids Blue Mountains doubletail |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Diuris
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| Species: |
platichila
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What it Looks Like
The Blue Mountains doubletail is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for many years and doesn't have a woody stem. It grows from a tuber, which is like a small underground storage organ, similar to a potato.
It has two long, thin leaves that are usually folded in half lengthwise. These leaves can be about 15 to 40 centimetres (6 to 16 inches) long and 3 to 6 millimetres (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide.
The plant produces a flowering stem that stands about 30 to 50 centimetres (12 to 20 inches) tall. On this stem, you'll find between two and eight yellow flowers. Each flower is about 2 to 3 centimetres (0.8 to 1.2 inches) wide and has dark markings.
Let's look at the flower parts:
- The dorsal sepal is the top part of the flower. It stands upright and is about 8 to 11 millimetres (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long and 6 to 8 millimetres (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide.
- The lateral sepals are the two side parts of the flower. They hang downwards and are about 14 to 16 millimetres (0.5 to 0.6 inches) long and 2 to 3 millimetres (0.08 to 0.1 inches) wide.
- The petals are the two main "ears" of the orchid. They stand upright, are egg-shaped, and measure about 9 to 12 millimetres (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long and 6 to 8 millimetres (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. They sit on a reddish-brown stalk about 4 to 6 millimetres (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long.
- The labellum is a special lower petal that helps attract pollinators. It is about 9 to 12 millimetres (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long and has three parts, called lobes.
- The centre lobe is wedge-shaped, about 7 to 9 millimetres (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long and wide, and also folded lengthwise.
- The side lobes are smaller, about 4 to 6 millimetres (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long and 2 millimetres (0.08 inches) wide.
- There are also two thick ridges, called callus ridges, on the labellum, which are about 4 to 5 millimetres (0.16 to 0.2 inches) long.
The Blue Mountains doubletail usually flowers during September and October.
Naming the Orchid
The Blue Mountains doubletail was first officially described in 1888. This was done by a person named Robert FitzGerald. He wrote about it in his book called Australian Orchids.
Where it Lives
This orchid lives in specific, separate areas within the Blue Mountains. It used to be more common in these areas. However, its numbers have gone down. This is mainly because its natural home is being lost or changed. Also, it sometimes mixes with other orchid species, like D. chryseopsis and D. bracteata, which can affect its pure population.
