Diuris punctata, commonly known as the purple donkey orchid is a species of orchid which is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It has two grass-like leaves and up to ten purple or mauve flowers, often with darker, sometimes yellow marks. A yellow form from near Guyra is probably now extinct.
Diuris punctata is a tuberous, perennial herb with two linear leaves NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and folded lengthwise. Up to ten flowers NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide are borne on a flowering stem NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 tall. The flowers are purple or mauve, often with darker, sometimes yellow marks. The dorsal sepal is more or less erect, elliptic to egg-shaped, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The lateral sepals are greenish-brown, linear to lance-shaped, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and turned downwards. The petals are erect with an egg-shaped blade NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide on a dark coloured stalk NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long. The labellum is NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and has three lobes. The centre lobe is broadly egg-shaped to fan-shaped, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and the side lobes are linear to wedge-shaped, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. There are two ridge-like calli about 5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, surrounded by yellow in the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering occurs from September to December.[1] [2]
Diuris punctata was first formally described in 1804 by James Edward Smith and the description was published in Exotic Botany.[3] [4] The specific epithet (punctata) is a Latin word meaning "spotted".[5]
The purple donkey orchid is found in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria growing in forest and grassland. In New South Wales it occurs south from the Moonbi Range and in Victoria north from the Mornington Peninsula. A form known as Diuris punctata var. sulfurea was known from a property near Guyra but is now thought to be extinct. It had smaller, yellow flowers.
Diuris punctata is classed as "threatened" in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. The main threats to the species are competition from weeds and grasses, grazing and soil disturbance.[6]