Fragrant doubletail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fragrant doubletail |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Diuris
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| Species: |
fragrantissima
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Diuris fragrantissima, often called the fragrant doubletail or Sunshine diuris, is a special kind of orchid. It grows only in a small area to the west of Melbourne, Australia. This unique plant has two long, thin leaves at its base. It can produce up to twelve white flowers with lovely mauve or pale purple markings. Its side petals, called sepals, are unusually long. Sadly, only about thirty of these plants still grow in the wild grasslands near Sunshine.
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What Does the Fragrant Doubletail Look Like?
The fragrant doubletail is a tuberous, perennial plant. This means it grows from a special underground storage part (a tuber) and lives for many years. It has two long, thin leaves, about 100 to 180 mm (4 to 7 in) long and 5 to 10 mm (0.2 to 0.4 in) wide. These leaves are folded lengthwise.
Its flowering stem can grow 100 to 200 mm (4 to 8 in) tall. On this stem, you might see up to twelve white flowers. Each flower is about 30 to 35 mm (1.2 to 1.4 in) wide and has mauve or pale purple markings.
The top petal, called the dorsal sepal, stands upright. It's egg-shaped, about 12 to 15 mm (0.5 to 0.6 in) long. The two side sepals are very long and narrow, measuring 50 to 85 mm (2 to 3 in) long. They point downwards and are almost parallel to each other. The other petals are usually upright or bent backward.
The flower's "lip," called the labellum, is about 9 to 12 mm (0.4 to 0.5 in) long. It has three parts, or lobes. The middle lobe is shaped like a fan or a heart and has wrinkled edges. There are also two small ridges near the base of the labellum. These orchids usually bloom in October and November.
How the Fragrant Doubletail Got Its Name
The fragrant doubletail was first officially described in 1964 by a scientist named Alick Dockrill. He used notes from another scientist, Herman Rupp. At first, it was called Diuris punctata var. albo-violacea.
Later, in 1989, two other scientists, David Jones and Mark Clements, changed its name to D. fragrantissima. They noticed it was different from D. punctata because it was smaller, its flowers stood up straight, they were white with purple marks, and they had a strong, pleasant smell.
The name fragrantissima comes from a Latin word, fragrans. This word means "smelling agreeably." The "issima" part makes it a superlative, meaning "most fragrant." So, its name literally means "most fragrant doubletail."
Where Does the Fragrant Doubletail Live?
A long time ago, when Europeans first settled in Australia, the fragrant doubletail was very common. It grew all over the grasslands west of Melbourne. However, by 1934, people started to notice it was becoming rare. Its numbers kept dropping. By 1992, only one plant was left in the wild!
Today, about thirty wild Diuris fragrantissima plants still survive in grasslands near Sunshine. Some others have been planted in a small protected area near Altona. Sadly, both these groups of plants are in danger. Buildings and factories are expanding into their habitat. Also, important natural processes, like the loss of insects that help pollinate the flowers, threaten the species. Luckily, about 200 of these orchids are being grown in special gardens, mostly at Melbourne Zoo and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
Protecting the Fragrant Doubletail
The fragrant doubletail is listed as "endangered" by the Australian government. This means it is at very high risk of disappearing forever. The Victorian government also protects it under its own laws.
The biggest dangers to these orchids include:
- Weed invasion: Weeds can grow over the orchids and steal their sunlight and nutrients.
- Predation: Animals, especially introduced house mousees, can eat the plants.
- Altered fire regimes: Natural bushfires used to help the grasslands stay healthy, but now fires are controlled differently, which can harm the orchids.
- Human interference: People accidentally or purposefully disturbing the plants or their habitat.
Scientists and conservationists are working hard to protect the remaining fragrant doubletail orchids and help their populations grow.
