Swamp doubletail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp doubletail |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Diuris
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| Species: |
palustris
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Diuris palustris, also known as the swamp doubletail or swamp diuris, is a special type of orchid that only grows in south-eastern Australia. This means it's endemic to that area. It has a bunch of twisted leaves and pretty yellow flowers with brown spots.
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What the Swamp Doubletail Looks Like
The swamp doubletail is a plant that grows from a tuber (like a small potato underground). It's a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years and has soft stems, not woody ones. It has about eight to ten twisted, long leaves, which are 100–300 mm (4–10 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide. These leaves are folded lengthwise.
The plant can have up to four yellow flowers with dark brown spots. Each flower is about 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) wide. They grow on a stem that is 50–150 mm (2–6 in) tall.
- The dorsal sepal (the top part of the flower) stands up straight and curves back a bit. It's egg-shaped, about 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide.
- The lateral sepals (the two side parts) are green, about 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long, and hang downwards.
- The petals (the main showy parts) can stand up or curve back. They have an egg-shaped blade about 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long.
- The labellum (the special lip-like petal) is 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and has three parts. The middle part is shaped like a spatula. The side parts are oval and stand up.
- There are also two raised ridges called calli on the labellum, about 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long.
These orchids usually bloom from August to October.
How It Got Its Name
The swamp doubletail was first officially described in 1840 by a person named John Lindley. He wrote about it in his book, The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants.
The second part of its scientific name, palustris, comes from a Latin word. It means "marshy" or "boggy," which tells us where this orchid likes to grow.
Where It Lives
The swamp doubletail orchid can be found in several parts of south-eastern Australia. You can find it in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. It is most common in South Australia.
This orchid prefers to grow in wet or moist soil. You can often find it in forests, in Callitris woodlands (a type of tree), and in grasslands.
Protecting the Swamp Doubletail
The swamp doubletail is a special plant, and its numbers are getting smaller. Because of this, it is listed as "vulnerable" in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. This means it needs protection to survive.
In Tasmania, it is considered even more at risk. It is listed as "endangered" under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. This means it faces a very high risk of disappearing if we don't protect it.
