Lemon doubletail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lemon doubletail |
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| Diuris abbreviata growing near Guyra | |
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Diuris
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| Species: |
abbreviata
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The lemon doubletail (scientific name: Diuris abbreviata) is a special type of orchid. It grows only in eastern Australia, which means it's endemic there. This orchid has two or three leaves and a tall stem with up to nine bright yellow flowers. These flowers often have darker marks on them.
What Does the Lemon Doubletail Look Like?
The lemon doubletail is a plant that grows from a tuber (a swollen underground stem). It's a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years. It has two or three long, thin leaves that are about 12 to 25 centimeters (5-10 inches) long and 3 to 4 millimeters (0.1-0.2 inches) wide. These leaves are folded in half lengthwise.
The plant produces between three and nine flowers. These flowers are usually pale to bright yellow with darker markings. They lean forward and are about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) wide.
Each flower has different parts:
- The dorsal sepal (the top part) is egg-shaped and stands mostly upright. It's about 7 to 12 millimeters (0.3-0.5 inches) long.
- The lateral sepals (the side parts) are long and narrow. They hang downwards and are about 11 to 16 millimeters (0.4-0.6 inches) long.
- The petals look like ears and stand upright above the flower. They are about 7 to 14 millimeters (0.3-0.6 inches) long.
- The labellum (the lip of the flower) is about 7 to 14 millimeters (0.3-0.6 inches) long and has three parts called lobes. The middle lobe is wide and egg-shaped, about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) wide. The side lobes are narrow and triangular.
The flowers also have two ridge-like bumps called calli near the middle of the labellum. These orchids usually bloom from September to November.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The lemon doubletail was first officially described in 1873. A scientist named George Bentham published the description in a book called Flora Australiensis. He used notes from another scientist, Ferdinand von Mueller.
The scientific name abbreviata comes from a Latin word. It means "shortened."
Where Does It Live?
You can find the lemon doubletail growing in forests and grasslands. It lives in the ranges and tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. Its home stretches from north of Barrington Tops up into south-east Queensland.
