Tall bee orchid facts for kids

The Diuris carinata, also known as the tall bee orchid, is a special type of orchid. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area. The plant has four to six leaves and can grow up to seven large, bright yellow flowers. These flowers often have reddish-brown markings.

What the Tall Bee Orchid Looks Like

The tall bee orchid is a plant that grows from a tuber, which is like a small underground storage organ. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also a herb, so it has soft stems, not woody ones like a tree.

• Leaves: This orchid usually has four to six leaves that stand straight up. They are about 100–200 mm (4–8 in) long and 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide.
• Flowers: The plant produces between two and seven bright yellow flowers. These flowers have reddish-brown markings. Each flower is about 30 mm (1 in) long and 20–30 mm (0.8–1 in) wide.
• Flower Stem: The flowers grow on a tall stem that can reach 500–800 mm (20–30 in) in height.
• Sepals: The top part of the flower, called the dorsal sepal, points upwards. It is about 14–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long and 9–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide. The two side sepals, called lateral sepals, point downwards. They are about 18–22 mm (0.7–0.9 in) long.
• Petals: The petals of the flower stand up or curve backwards. They are about 12–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) wide. Each petal has a dark stalk about 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long.
• Labellum: The labellum is a special lip-like petal that helps attract pollinators. It is about 15–18 mm (0.6–0.7 in) long and has three parts, called lobes.
  • The middle lobe is shaped like an egg or a wedge. It is 12–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 11–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
  • The two side lobes are 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide. They spread out from each other.
• Callus Ridges: At the base of the labellum, there are two raised lines called callus ridges. They are about 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and are outlined with reddish-brown color.
• Flowering Time: The tall bee orchid usually blooms in October and November.

How the Tall Bee Orchid Got Its Name

The scientific name for the tall bee orchid, Diuris carinata, was first officially written down by a botanist named John Lindley. He described it in his book The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants in 1840. He used a plant sample collected by James Drummond near the Swan River.

The second part of its name, carinata, comes from a Latin word. It means "keeled," which refers to a part of the flower that looks like the keel of a boat.

Where the Tall Bee Orchid Lives

The tall bee orchid can be found in a specific area of Western Australia. It grows between the towns of Gingin and Mount Barker. This area is part of the Jarrah Forest biogeographical region. The orchid likes to grow in wet, swampy places, often alongside plants called sedges.