''Diuris basaltica'', commonly known as little golden moths, or small golden moths is a species of orchid which is endemic to Victoria. The species has suffered a catastrophic reduction in range and distribution as a result of clearing for agriculture, then by urban expansion until only about four hundred plants remain in the wild.

Description

''Diuris basaltica'' is a tuberous, perennial

herb In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal ...

tall with between three and seven linear, green leaves, each long and wide. There are up to three bright golden yellow to orange-yellow flowers, wide with a few dark streaks. The flowers often do not open widely and lean downwards. The dorsal sepal is long, wide and more or less erect. The lateral sepals curve downwards, long, wide. The ear-like

petal Petals are modified Leaf, leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often advertising coloration, brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''c ...

s are egg-shaped, long, wide with a green stalk, long. The labellum has three lobes, the lateral ones small, wedge-shaped and pimply. The middle lobe is broadly egg-shaped, long, wide with two widely separated ridges near the base and a central ridge extending almost to its tip. Flowering occurs from September to October.

Taxonomy and naming

''Diuris basaltica'' was first formally described in 2006 by David Jones and the description was published in ''Australian Orchid Review''. The

specific epithet In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...

(''basaltica'') is a Latin word referring to the soils derived from basalt in which this orchid grows.

Distribution and habitat

Little golden moths grows with kangaroo grass on eastern parts of the basalt plain to the west of Melbourne. The orchid once had a wider distribution on the volcanic plains of south-western Victoria but has suffered a catastrophic decline, firstly due to clearing of its habitat for agriculture and later by urbanisation.

Conservation

''Diuris basaltica'' only survives in three populations, the largest of which includes about 400 plants on private property. Only five plants are conserved in a reserve and another two plants occur in the third population on private land. The main threats to the species are habitat loss, disturbance to or destruction of plants, grazing, weed invasion and altered fire regimes. The species is listed as "endangered" under the Victorian ''

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 The ''Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988'', also known as the ''FFG Act'', is an act of the Victorian Government designed to protect species, genetic material and habitats, to prevent extinction and allow maximum genetic diversity within the Au ...

'' and the Australian Government '' Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999''.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q10267370 basaltica Endemic orchids of Australia Orchids of Victoria (state) Plants described in 2006 Taxa named by David L. Jones (botanist)