Oaklands doubletail
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Diurideae
Genus: Diuris
Species:
D. callitrophila
Binomial name
Diuris callitrophila

Diuris callitrophila, commonly known as the Oaklands doubletail[2] or Oaklands diuris,[3] is a species of orchid which is endemic to a small part of southern New South Wales. It has two or three leaves and up to nine whitish and mauve flowers with darker markings and unusually long lateral sepals.

Description

Diuris callitrophila is a tuberous, perennial herb with two or three leaves 150–350 mm (6–10 in) long, 5–9 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide and folded lengthwise. Between three and nine white, purple or mauve flowers with darker markings, 25–35 mm (0.98–1.4 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 300–500 mm (10–20 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is more or less erect, 10–20 mm (0.4–0.8 in) long and 8–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) wide. The lateral sepals are 40–120 mm (2–5 in) long, 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide and turned downwards. The petals are ear-like and held erect above the rest of the flower, with an elliptic blade 6–16 mm (0.2–0.6 in) long and 6–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide. The petals have a dark-coloured stalk 3–7 mm (0.12–0.28 in) long that gradually expands towards the blade. The labellum is 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and has three lobes. The centre lobe is fan-shaped, 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long and 8–15 mm (0.3–0.6 in) wide and the side lobes are 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 1–3 mm (0.04–0.1 in) wide. There are two broad callus ridges 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long at the base of the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering occurs in November and December.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

Diuris callitrophila was first formally described in 2003 by David Jones from a specimen collected near Oaklands and the description was published in The Orchadian.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The Oaklands doubletail is only known from a few locations between Oaklands and Urana where it grows in small groups in grassy places in Callitris woodland.[2]

Conservation

Diuris callitrophila is classed as "endangered" under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act. The main threats to the species are its restricted distribution and small population, weed invasion, grazing and inappropriate fire regimes. Steps are being taken to conserve the species by collecting the seed and its associated fungus, growing the orchid and reintroducing it to its natural habitat.[3][5]

References

  1. ↑ "Diuris callitrophila". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Jones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. pp. 130–131. ISBN 1877069124.
  3. 1 2 "The Oaklands Diuris Orchid: steps to securing its future". New South Wales Government Office of Environment and Heritage. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  4. ↑ "Duiris callitrophila". APNI. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  5. ↑ "Oaklands Diuris, Diuris callitrophila" (PDF). NewSouth Wales Government, Murray Local Land Services. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
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