Diuris laevis explained

Diuris laevis, commonly known as the nanny goat orchid, is a species of orchid that is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has between four and eight leaves and up to six pale yellow flowers which usually have reddish-brown markings. It has an unusually short dorsal sepal and wide labellum and is relatively common between Bunbury and Albany.

Description

Diuris laevis is a tuberous, perennial herb with between four and eight spirally twisted leaves NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. Up to eight pale yellow flowers usually with reddish brown markings, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide are borne on a flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 tall. The dorsal sepal is angled upwards, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide and tapered. The lateral sepals project forwards NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The petals are erect, spread apart from each other, egg-shaped, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide on a brown stalk NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long. The labellum is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and has three lobes. The centre lobe is broadly egg-shaped, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The side lobes are NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide with toothed edges. There are two flattened callus ridges NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long near the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering occurs in October and November, more prolifically after fire.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Taxonomy and naming

Diuris laevis was first formally described in 1882 by Robert FitzGerald and the description was published in The Gardeners' Chronicle.^{[4] [5]} The specific epithet (laevis) is a Latin word meaning "smooth", "polished" or "bald".^[6]

Distribution and habitat

The nanny goat orchid grows in winter-wet areas and in swamps, often in large numbers between Bunbury and Albany in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Warren biogeographic regions.

Conservation

Diuris laevis is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Notes and References

1. Book: Brown. Andrew. Dundas. Pat. Dixon. Kingsley. Hopper. Stephen. Orchids of Western Australia. 2008. University of Western Australia Press. Crawley, Western Australia. 9780980296457. 224.
2. Book: Jones. David L.. A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. 2006. New Holland. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.. 1877069124. 136.
3. Book: Hoffman. Noel. Brown. Andrew. Orchids of South-West Australia. 2011. Noel Hoffman. Gooseberry Hill. 9780646562322. 496. 3rd.
4. Web site: Duiris laevis. APNI. 24 March 2018.
5. Fitzgerald. Robert D.. New Australian orchids. The Gardeners' Chronicle. 1882. 17. 495. 24 March 2018.
6. Book: Brown. Roland Wilbur. The Composition of Scientific Words. 1956. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.. 653.