Diuris curta facts for kids

Diuris curta is a special type of orchid that grows only in eastern Australia. It's often called a "donkey orchid" because its petals can look a bit like donkey ears! This pretty plant usually has one or two leaves. It can grow up to five bright yellow flowers. Each flower has two small dark spots on its top petal. You can find Diuris curta growing on sunny coastal areas. It lives from a place called Byfield in Queensland all the way down to Hat Head in New South Wales.

What Does Diuris curta Look Like?

Diuris curta is a tuberous plant. This means it has a special underground part that stores food, like a small potato. It is also a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years and does not have a woody stem.

This orchid usually has one or two long, thin leaves. They are about 15 to 25 centimeters (6 to 10 inches) long. They are also about 0.5 to 0.8 centimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) wide. The leaves are often folded in half lengthwise.

The plant grows a flowering stem that is about 5 to 20 centimeters (2 to 8 inches) tall. On this stem, you can find up to five bright yellow flowers. Each flower is about 2 to 3 centimeters (0.8 to 1.2 inches) wide.

• The top petal, called the dorsal sepal, is egg-shaped or almost round. It is about 0.9 to 1.4 centimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long and 0.7 to 1 centimeter (0.3 to 0.4 inches) wide. It has two small dark spots.
• The side petals, called lateral sepals, are greenish. They are shaped like an egg or a spatula. They are about 1.3 to 2.2 centimeters (0.5 to 0.9 inches) long. These sepals point downwards and might cross over each other.
• The main petals are usually upright or curved backwards. They are broadly egg-shaped. They are about 0.9 to 1.5 centimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long. These petals sit on a dark stalk about 0.4 to 0.5 centimeters (0.16 to 0.20 inches) long.
• The labellum is the special lower petal. It is about 1 to 1.2 centimeters (0.39 to 0.47 inches) long and has three parts, called lobes. The middle lobe is egg-shaped or wedge-shaped. The side lobes are oblong or egg-shaped.
• There are also two small ridges, called callus ridges, on the labellum. They are about 0.5 to 0.6 centimeters (0.20 to 0.24 inches) long.

Diuris curta flowers bloom from August to early October.

Where Does Diuris curta Get Its Name?

The scientific name Diuris curta was first officially described in 2006. A botanist named David Jones gave it this name. He found a sample of the orchid near Hat Head.

The second part of its name, curta, is a Latin word. It means "short." This name was chosen because this orchid is usually quite short. It is thought that its short size helps it survive in the windy, open places where it grows near the sea.

Where Does Diuris curta Live?

This special orchid grows on coastal headlands. These are areas of land that stick out into the sea. You can find it between Byfield in Queensland and Hat Head in New South Wales. It often grows in spots that are very open and exposed to the ocean winds and salt spray.

Is Diuris curta in Danger?

Yes, Diuris curta faces some threats. One big problem is bitou bush. This is a type of weed that invades the orchid's habitat. Other native shrubs can also threaten Diuris curta if there are no fires. Fires are sometimes important in these areas to clear out competing plants.