Friday, April 18
    Herbs and Spices

    Know about Donkey Orchids

    By No Comments2 Mins Read

    With scientific name Diuris, the plant is commonly known from the name Donkey Orchid. The scientific name is derived from the Greek word “Di” which refers two and “ouris” which refers tail. The two lateral hanging petals resemble two hanging ears of donkey. As the petals swing in air, it resembles donkey squealing and moving its head. Flowers are 3-5 purplish measuring 4 cm (1.5 inches) long.  It is terrestrial which means it grows on ground and is perennial in nature. Leaves are grasslike. Fruit is a capsule with winged seeds. The plants have network of roots and 1 to 2 tubers. It prefers places with well drained soils and wet winters. 

    Plant description

    Diuris semilunulata is a perennial, terrestrial and geophytic herb with filamentose roots having naked, ovoid or cylindrical and paired tubers. Leaves are linear, basal, grass like, 15–25 cm long and 3–4 mm wide. Scape is 3 to 5 flowered, loose raceme and 20-35 cm high. Flowers are orange, hermaphroditic, heavily blotched or suffused with purple and brown. Dorsal sepal is erect, ovate measuring 6-10 mm long and 7-10 mm wide. Petals are ovate to obovate about 5–11 mm long by 4–9 mm wide. Labellum is 4-8 mm long. Fruit is a dehiscent, non-fleshy capsule that contains 30 to 500 minute, light-dark colored and winged seeds.

    Culinary uses

    Aborigines consume starch tubers.

    References:

    https://www.orchidsplus.com/donkey-orchid-facts/

    https://www.earth.com/earthpedia/plant/vi/diuris-semilunulata/

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    Donkey Orchids Quick Facts
    Name: Donkey Orchids
    Scientific Name: Diuris semilunulata
    Origin Australia
    Name Donkey Orchids
    Scientific Name Diuris semilunulata
    Native Australia
    Common/English Name Late Leopard Orchid, Donkey Orchid, Spotted Double- Tail Orchid
    Plant Growth Habit Terrestrial, perennial, geophytic
    Soil Well-drained, moist
    Root Ovoid or cylindrical
    Leaves 15-25 cm long, 3-4 mm wide, alternate or whorled
    Flower Bright yellow
    Seed Light-dark, winged

    Donkey Orchids Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Diuris semilunulata

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Phylum Tracheophyta
    Division Tracheophyta
    Class Liliopsida
    Order Asparagales
    Family Orchidaceae
    Genus Diuris Sm.
    Species Diuris semilunulata Messmer