Website of Tobias Westmeier

Mini Donkey Orchid
Diuris recurva

Notes

The Mini Donkey Orchid is restricted to the western edge of the Wheatbelt region of WA between Perth and Kalbarri. Flowering in July and August, it is one of the earliest-flowering Donkey Orchids of Western Australia. The orchids usually grow in winter-wet heathland, occasionally also in Wandoo woodland.

While the flowers look similar to other species of Donkey Orchid, the Mini Donkey Orchid is easily recognisable by its diminutive size. The flowers are only about 1 to 2 cm in size, making them difficult to spot in the dense heath in which they normally grow. Another characteristic feature are the strongly recurved lateral sepals which gave rise to the scientific name of the species.

Photos

Diuris recurva
The flowers look similar to other Donkey Orchids, but are much smaller. (Yallabatharra, WA, 07 / 07 / 2015)
Diuris recurva
The Mini Donkey Orchid is one of Australia’s smallest Donkey Orchids. (Yallabatharra, WA, 07 / 07 / 2015)
Diuris recurva
The scientific name, recurva, is a reference to the strongly recurved lateral sepals. (Yallabatharra, WA, 07 / 07 / 2015)
Pea Flower
The orchids usually grow in winter-wet heathland and are easily overlooked due to their small size. (Yallabatharra, WA, 07 / 07 / 2015)

References