Diuris nigromontana
| Black Mountain leopard orchid | |
|---|---|
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| Diuris nigromontana growing on Black Mountain in the A.C.T. | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Tribe: | Diurideae |
| Genus: | Diuris |
| Species: | D. nigromontana
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| Binomial name | |
| Diuris nigromontana | |
Diuris nigromontana, commonly known as Canberra donkey orchid[2] or Black Mountain leopard orchid,[3] is a species of orchid that is endemic to the Australian Capital Territory. It has two grass-like leaves and up to eight yellow-orange flowers with brownish marks on the labellum.
Description
[edit]Diuris nigromontana is a tuberous, perennial herb with two linear leaves folded lengthwise. Between two and eight yellow-orange flowers are borne on a flowering stem up to 350 mm (14 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is tall and usually erect, more or less triangular but with a bluntly-pointed tip. The lateral sepals are crossed, but usually not turned backwards. The petals are usually erect, egg-shaped to round. The labellum has brownish marks and three lobes, the side lobes relatively large and oblong. Flowering occurs in October and November.[2] This orchid is similar to D. semilunulata but is a brighter shade of yellow, has less prominent darker markings and erect petals.[4]
Taxonomy
[edit]Diuris nigromontana was first formally described in 2008 by David Jones in "The Orchadian" from a specimen collected on Black Mountain.[4][5] The specific epithet means "black mountain", referring to Black Mountain where this species is common.[4]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Canberra donkey orchid grows in shrubby woodland and forest, and is locally common around Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory.[2][4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Diuris nigromontana". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ a b c Copeland, Lachlan M.; Backhouse, Gary N. (2022). Guide to Native Orchids of NSW and ACT. Clayton South, Victoria: CSIRO Publishing. pp. 198–199. ISBN 9781486313686.
- ^ "Diuris nigromontana". Canberra Nature Map Community. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d Jones, David L. (2008). "Twelve new species of Orchidaceae from south-eastern Australia". The Orchadian. 15 (12): 550–551. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ "Duiris nigromontana". APNI. Retrieved 10 March 2018.