Golden Moths
Diuris lanceolata
Slender yellow-flowered orchid to 40 cm tall. Three to five thin grass-like grooved leaves to 20 cm tall. One to four drooping pale yellow flowers with greenish-brown markings on outer surface.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Lilies, orchids |
| Former Scientific Name | D. pedunculata |
| Other Common Names | Merwan (Koorie name) |
| Distinctive Features | Flattened sideways with two petals standing out, hence the resemblance to moths. |
| Biology | Perennial. Moist clay soils, full sun. Widespread and still common in many grasslands and woodlands. |
| Native Status | Native |
| Flowering Time | Aug-Oct |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Orchidaceae |
| Genus | Diuris |
| Species | lanceolata |
The tuberous roots of some Diuris species were used by Aboriginal people as a food source. Can form fields of golden flowers.
| Interesting Facts | |
|---|---|
| Similar Species | Similar to Common Golden Moths D. chyrseopsis but is larger and the flowers are somewhat duller. There are two variants known from the basalt plains in Vic from Laverton (yellow-orange flowers and Derrinallum (clump-forming and flowers earlier). |
| Native Status | Native |