Diuris brevis
{{Short description|Species of orchid}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Short-nosed donkey orchid
| image =
| image_caption =
| status_system = DECF
| status = P2
| genus = Diuris
| species = brevis
| authority = D.L.Jones & C.J.French{{cite web |title=Diuris brevis |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/205355 |website=Australian Plant Census |accessdate=20 June 2023}}
| synonyms =
}}
Diuris brevis, commonly known as short-nosed donkey orchid,{{FloraBase|name=Diuris brevis |id=46855}} is a species of orchid that is endemic to a restricted area in the south-west of Western Australia. It has two or three linear leaves and a flowering stem with up to four small yellow and brown flowers with a short labellum.
Description
Diuris brevis is a tuberous, perennial herb, usually growing to a height of {{cvt|200-300|mm}} with two or three linear leaves {{cvt|100–150|mm}} long and {{cvt|5–10|mm}} wide. There are up to four yellow and brown flowers, {{cvt|20–25|mm}} wide on slender pedicels {{cvt|10–25|mm}} long. The flowers have erect, widely-spreading, ear-like petals {{cvt|14–18|mm}} long, a dorsal sepal {{cvt|6–8|mm}} long and {{cvt|6–9|mm}} wide, and narrowly oblong, reddish-brown lateral sepals {{cvt|11–16|mm}} long. The labellum has three lobes, the lateral ones widely spreading, and the middle lobe very short and flattish with down-curved edges and a smooth yellow callus. Flowering occurs from mid-August to September.{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Andrew|last2=Dixon|first2=Kingsley|last3=French|first3=Christopher|last4=Brockman|first4=Garry|title=Field guide to the orchids of Western Australia : the definitive guide to the native orchids of Western Australia|date=2013|publisher=Simon Nevill Publications|isbn=9780980348149|page=215}}{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=David L. |last2=French |first2=Christopher J. |title=Eight new species in the Diuris corymbosa Lindley complex (Orchidaceae) from Western Australia |journal=Australian Orchid Review |date=2016 |volume=81 |issue=2 |pages=33–35 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/310751#page/35/mode/1up |access-date=20 June 2023}}
Taxonomy and naming
Diuris brevis was first formally described in 2016 by David Jones and Christopher French in Australian Orchid Review from specimens they collected in the Kenwick Swamp in 1997.{{cite web|title=Diuris brevis|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/6379354 |publisher=APNI|accessdate=20 June 2023}} The specific epithet (brevis) means "short ", referring to the mid-lobe of the labellum.
Distribution and habitat
Short-nosed donkey orchid is only known from the type location where it grows in dense, low shrubland.
Conservation
Diuris brevis is listed as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations.{{cite web|title=Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna|url=https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/threatened-species/Listings/Conservation%20code%20definitions.pdf|publisher=Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife|accessdate=20 June 2023}}