Golden donkey orchid
Diuris aurea

Family: Orchidaceae

What it is like

A ground orchid. It grows 15-50 cm high. The leaves are 10-25 cm long by 0.3-0.6 cm wide. There are 1-2 leaves per plant. They are narrow and have a channel along them. The flower stem is 15-50 cm tall and has 2-5 flowers. The flowers are 2.5-4.5 cm wide and a deep golden yellow. Tubers can be quite large.

There are about 50 Diurus species. Others possibly used include Diurus chryseopsis and Diurus sulphurea. See Gilfedder, L et al, 2003, The Nature of the Midlands. Midlands Bushweb. PO Box 156 Longford, Tasmania. p 88

Where it is found

It grows in tropical to warm temperate locations. It occurs in Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. It grows in open forest. It needs a rich, well-drained soil and a protected, shaded position. It is damaged by frost or drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Britain, Europe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Tubers, root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown by division.

Plants are slow to increase vegetatively.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Diurus spathulata;