Diuris maculata
Smith
Leopard orchid, Common donkey-orchid, Spotted Double Tails
(c) Ian McMaster, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ian McMaster
(c) Darcy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Chris Lindorff, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Chris Lindorff
What to Eat
Edible parts: Tubers, Root
The tubers and roots are edible.
Where to Find It
It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in heathlands and open forests in rocky places. It is best in light, sandy, well-drained soils in a protected shaded position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.
How to Identify
A ground orchid. The leaves are 30 cm long and 0.3-0.5 cm wide. There are 2-3 leaves per plant. The flowering stems are 15-35 cm long. The flowers are yellow and 2.5 cm across. They have dark brown blotches and spots. There are 2-3 flowers but up to 10 blooms on each flower stem. The petals are oval or round.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Diuris maculata, commonly known as the spotted doubletail, is a species of orchid endemic to New South Wales. It has up to two or three folded leaves and a flowering stem with up to eight yellow flowers with brown to blackish markings. It is similar to D. pardina which has darker flowers with larger brown markings.
Production
There are about 50 Diurus species. The Tasmanian plant may be Diuris pardina.
Names & Synonyms
References (11)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 351
- Collier, P., 1993, Orchids of Tasmania. Plant Identikit. Society for growing Australian Plants. Tasmania. p 38
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 507
- Dashorst, G.R.M., and Jessop, J.P., 1998, Plants of the Adelaide Plains & Hills. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium. p 204
- Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1984, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 3. Lothian. p 306
- Grieg, D., 2002, A photographic guide to Wildflowers of South-eastern Australia. New Holland. p 92
- Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 39
- Low, T., 1992, Bush Tucker. Australia’s Wild Food Harvest. Angus & Robertson. p 120
- Minchin, R.F., Tasmanian Wildflowers. A Field Guide. Volume one. Regal Publications, Launceston p 16
- Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 73 (Diurus pardina)
- Zola, N., & Gott, B., 1992, Koorie Plants Koorie People. Koorie Heritage Trust. p 45
