Highland golden moths facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Highland golden moths |
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| Diuris monticola in Namadgi National Park | |
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The Diuris monticola, also known as highland golden moths, is a type of orchid. This beautiful flower grows only in south-eastern Australia. It is a common plant found in grasslands and woodlands at higher altitudes. The plant has a group of up to nine leaves at its base. It also has up to four bright yellow flowers. These flowers often droop slightly and have dark streaks in their middle.
What Highland Golden Moths Look Like
The highland golden moth orchid is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows from a tuber, which is like a small underground storage part. The plant has between five and nine narrow leaves. These leaves are about 50 to 200 mm (2 to 8 inches) long and 3 to 4 mm (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. They grow in a loose clump at the base.
The plant produces up to four bright yellow flowers. These flowers have dark streaks in their center. Each flower is about 15 to 28 mm (0.6 to 1.1 inches) wide. They grow on a flowering stem that is about 150 to 350 mm (6 to 14 inches) tall. The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, leans forward. The side sepals hang downwards. The petals spread out from each other. The lower lip of the flower, called the labellum, has three parts. There are also two bumpy, darker yellow ridges on the labellum. These orchids usually bloom from November to January.
How This Orchid Got Its Name
The Diuris monticola was first officially described in 1998. A botanist named David Jones gave it its scientific name. He found a sample of the plant near Tantangara Dam. The name monticola comes from two Latin words. Mons means "mountain" and -cola means "dweller". So, monticola means "mountain dweller". This name fits perfectly because the orchid grows in mountain habitats.
Where Highland Golden Moths Grow
Highland golden moths are very common. They grow in mountain grasslands and snowgum woodlands. You can find them in the higher areas of southern New South Wales, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and north-eastern Victoria.
