Diuris lanceolata
{{Short description|Species of orchid}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Large golden moths
| image = Diuris lanceolata.jpg
| image_caption = Diuris lanceolata in north-west Tasmania
| status = EN
| status_system = EPBC
| status_ref =
| genus = Diuris
| species = lanceolata
| authority = Lindl.{{cite web|title=Diuris lanceolata|url= https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/79257|publisher=Australian Plant Census|access-date=5 August 2023}}
| synonyms = Diuris pedunculata var. lanceolata (Lindl.) Domin
}}
Diuris lanceolata, commonly known as large golden moths, is a species of orchid that is endemic to Tasmania. It has between two and four leaves and up to three golden to orange-yellow flowers with a few dark streaks.
Description
Diuris lanceolata is a tuberous, perennial herb with between two and four narrow linear leaves {{convert|50-180|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1-3|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. Up to three golden yellow to orange-yellow flowers with a few dark streaks, {{convert|25-40|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide are borne on a flowering stem {{convert|60-250|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} tall. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, angled upwards, {{convert|9-17|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|7-13|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide with a tapered tip. The lateral sepals turn downwards below the horizontal, narrow lance-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, {{convert|15-25|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|2-3|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide and parallel to each other. The petals are held horizontally, egg-shaped to lance-shaped, {{convert|10-18|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|5-8.5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide on a green stalk {{convert|3-6|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long. The labellum is {{convert|14-22|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and has three lobes. The centre lobe is egg-shaped, {{convert|10-15|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|8.5-13|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide. The side lobes are erect, oblong to wedge-shaped, {{convert|3-5.5|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|2-3|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} wide with irregular edges. There are pimply callus ridges {{convert|7-10|mm|in|sigfig=1|abbr=on}} long at the base of the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering occurs from November to February.{{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 =127}}{{cite journal|last1=Jones|first1=David L.|title=Contributions to Tasmanian Orchidology|journal=Australian Orchid Research|date=1998|volume=3|pages=75–76}}{{cite web|title=Threatened species listing statement Large golden moths Diuris lanceolata|url=http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Diuris%20lanceolata%20listing%20statement.pdf|publisher=Tasmanian Government Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment|accessdate=25 March 2018}}
Taxonomy and naming
Diuris lanceolata was first formally described by John Lindley in his 1840 book The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants.{{cite web|title=Duiris lanceolata|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/494413|publisher=APNI|accessdate=25 March 2018}} The specific epithet (lanceolata) is a Latin word meaning "spear-like".{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.|page =460}}
Distribution and habitat
Conservation
Diuris lanceolata is classified as "endangered" under the Australian government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Tasmanian government Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.{{cite web|title=Threatened Tasmanian Orchids Flora Recovery Plan|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/e95d461f-4f22-4c74-a053-e1b6f11fd235/files/recovery-plan-tasmanian-orchids-2017.pdf|publisher=Australian Government Department of the Environment|accessdate=25 March 2018}}