Buttercup Doubletail - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Diuris aequalis

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 01 Nov 2002

Profile last updated: 25 Feb 2024

Description

The buttercup doubletail is a terrestrial ‘donkey’ orchid with chrome yellow flowers. It differs from many other Diuris species by the absence of markings (dots or stripes) on the flowers. The two petals above the centre of the flower are widely spaced resembling donkeys' ears. The green lateral sepals (below the centre of the flower) form two long and narrow tails which often curve over each other (from which its name "doubletail' is derived). Flowering occurs between mid-October and mid-November in the southern part of its range, and between mid-November and early December in the populations north of the Abercrombie River.

For further information contact: buttercup.doubletail@environment.nsw.gov.au

Distribution

The buttercup doubletail has been recorded in Kanangra-Boyd National Park, Gurnang State Forest, towards Wombeyan Caves, the Taralga - Goulburn area, and the ranges between Braidwood, Tarago and Bungendore. The type location (from the 19th Century) is Liverpool, west of Sydney. However, this and other questionable records from the Sydney metropolitan area are unlikely based on current knowledge of the species.

Habitat and ecology

Recorded in forest, low open woodland with grassy understorey and secondary grassland on the higher parts of the Southern and Central Tablelands (especially on the Great Dividing Range).
Leaves die back each year and resprout just before flowering.
Populations tend to contain few, scattered individuals; despite extensive surveys, only about 2000 plants in total, from 20 populations are known.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

South Eastern Highlands

Threats

Clearing of habitat.
Populations on roadsides may be affected by roadworks.
Small population size increasing extinction risk of the species.
Herbivory of plants leading to the impairing plant recruitment.
Habitat damage associated with illegal rubbish dumping.
Rural-residential subdivision and associated land uses (e.g. horse and goat grazing).
Pollinator limitation.
Pigs dig up and eat tubers and cause physical disturbance of habitat.
Sheep and cattle are consuming flowering parts and physically damaging the habitat.
Rabbits potentially browsing on the species.
Accumulation of excessive biomass.
Invasive grasses (mainly Anthoxanthum odoratum).

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Increase public awareness of the species to assist in detection of unknown populations.
Organise proactive surveying in potential habitats.
Avoid changing land-use where Buttercup Doubletail persists.
Encourage light or no grazing on sites with this species.
Limit vehicle access to sites to deter rubbish dumping.
Mark Buttercup Doubletail sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planning road maintenance work.

Information sources

Bishop, T. (2000) Field Guide to the Orchids of New South Wales and Victoria. (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1993) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 4. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Diuris aequalis (a terrestrial orchid) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South Eastern Highlands	Bungonia	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Crookwell	Known	Within 20 km of the Great Dividing Range
South Eastern Highlands	Kanangra	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Monaro	Known	North of Hoskintown
South Eastern Highlands	Oberon	Known	None

Images

Buttercup Doubletail, Lorraine Oliver Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

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