Diuris chryseopsis
{{Short description|Species of orchid}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Common golden moths
| image = Diuris chryseopsis (Golden Moths). (24370963703).jpg
| genus = Diuris
| species = chryseopsis
| authority = D.L.Jones{{cite web|title=Diuris chryseopsis|url= https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/155019|publisher=Australian Plant Census|access-date=24 June 2023}}
}}
Diuris chryseopsis, commonly known as common golden moths or small snake orchid,{{cite web|title=Diuris chyrseopsis|url=http://fe.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Residents/Trees_Vegetation/Yarra_Ranges_Plant_Directory/Yarra_Ranges_Local_Plant_Directory/Lower_Storey/Orchids/Diuris_chryseopsis|publisher=Yarra Ranges Shire Council|accessdate=7 March 2018}} is a species of orchid that is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a common and widespread species growing in woodland, often in colonies and has up to four drooping, golden-yellow flowers. It is similar to several other orchids and form hybrids with some other Diuris species.
Description
Diuris chryseopsis is a tuberous, perennial herb with two to five, sometimes up to eight green, linear leaves {{convert|50-220|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|2-3.5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide in a loose tuft. Up to four drooping, lemon yellow flowers with brownish markings and {{convert|17-30|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide are borne on a flowering stem {{convert|100-300|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} tall. The dorsal sepal is more or less erect, egg-shaped to lance-shaped, {{convert|10-15|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|4-8|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. The lateral sepals are linear to lance-shaped, {{convert|15-25|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|2-3.5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide, and turned downwards. The petals are lance-shaped to narrow egg-shaped, {{convert|8-20|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|3.5-7|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide on a blackish stalk {{convert|3-5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and are directed sideways. The labellum is {{convert|14-20|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and has three lobes. The centre lobe is egg-shaped to heart-shaped, {{convert|9-16|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|7-12|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide and the side lobes are oblong to wedge-shaped, {{convert|2-3.5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1-2|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. The labellum callus is densely hairy or pimply near its base and tapers towards the tip of the labellum. Flowering occurs from August to October.{{cite book|last1=Jones|first1=David L.|title=A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories|date=2006|publisher=New Holland|location=Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.|isbn=1877069124|page=126}}{{cite journal|last1=Jones|first1=David L.|title=Contributions to Tasmanian Orchidology|journal=Australian Orchid Research|date=1998|volume=3|pages=74–75}}{{cite web|last1=Jeanes|first1=Jeff|last2=Stajsic|first2=Val|title=Diuris chryseopsis|url=https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/73fc1b48-59ac-4179-8a83-c4f975602ca6|publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria|accessdate=7 March 2018}}{{cite book |title=Inland Plants of the Bellarine Peninsula |author1=Longmore, Sue |author2=Smithyman, Steve |author3=Crawley, Matt |year=2010 |series= |publisher= Bellarine Catchment Network |location= |isbn= |pages= |url= }}
Taxonomy and naming
Diuris chryseopsis was first formally described in 1998 by David Jones from a specimen collected in a paddock near the Symmons Plains Raceway.{{cite web|title=Duiris chryseopsis|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/575568|publisher=APNI|accessdate=7 March 2018}} The specific epithet (chryseopsis) is derived from the Ancient Greek words chryseos meaning "golden"{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.}}{{rp|372}} and opsis meaning "sight", "look" or "appearance",{{rp|313}} referring to the colour of the flowers.
Distribution and habitat
Common golden moths grows in moist places in forest, woodland and grassland. It is found in south-eastern New South Wales, Tasmania and in Victoria where it is widespread and common. It may also occur in south-eastern South Australia. It is similar to other Diuris species and often forms hybrids with some that occur in the same area.{{cite web|title=Diuris chryseopsis|url=http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Diuris~chryseopsis|publisher=Royal Botanic Garden Sydney|accessdate=7 March 2018}}
See also
- Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana), a critically endangered moth with a similar name, found in grasslands of South-East Australia.