About Diuris chrysantha D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
Diuris chrysantha (common name granite donkey orchid) is a tuberous perennial herb. It grows one or two linear leaves that are 120–360 mm (5–10 in) long, 4–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide, and folded lengthwise. Between two and seven deep golden to orange flowers, marked with brown and 18–20 mm (0.7–0.8 in) wide, are carried on a flowering stem that reaches 150–320 mm (6–10 in) in height. The dorsal sepal is erect and egg-shaped, measuring 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide. The lateral sepals are linear to spatula-shaped, 12–18 mm (0.5–0.7 in) long, 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide, and point downwards. The petals are roughly circular, 6–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and wide, attached to a brown stalk 4–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, and held in an ear-like arrangement above the rest of the flower. The labellum is 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and divided into three lobes. The centre lobe is heart-shaped to wedge-shaped, 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) wide, while the side lobes are egg-shaped, 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.12 in) wide. Two callus ridges, each 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long, spread apart from each other near the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering takes place from August to November. This species grows in grassy forest on ranges and tablelands from north of Tamworth to the Darling Downs.
