diuris

Illustration of fourteen West Australian orchids, by Emily Pelloe.

Diuris, [die-you-riss.] from dis, double, and oura, a tail; referring to the two lower sepals of the flowers.

An Australian genus known as “Double-tails.” The best known species in Western Australia is commonly called “Donkey Orchid.” Other species of the genus can easily be identified by their resemblance to it in type of flower. Typical characteristics of the genus are the narrow leaves, few at or near the base of the stem, with a few sheathing bracts higher up, the curiously shaped flowers-one, two, or several-in a terminal raceme, the upper sepal short and broad, the two lower sepals narrow and curved, the two upper petals battle-dore shaped, with the lip deeply three-lobed, and total dependance on insects for fertilisation.  ... Read more

Diuris is a genus of herbaceous plant belonging to the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The common name Donkey Orchid is logically derived from the appearance of the two lateral petals, protruding from the top of the flower like the two ears of a donkey.