Willawarrin 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 disposita

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 06 Nov 1998

Profile last updated: 18 Jul 2024

Description

A ground orchid belonging to the Doubletail, or Donkey Orchid genus, Willawarrin Doubletail is a small herb with two leaves to 30 cm long at the base of the plant. In spring the plant produces a 35 cm flowering stem with up to seven widely spaced flowers. The pale, mustard yellow and brown flowers are very small, about 15 mm across. They have the typical yellow ‘donkey ear’ sepals bent back at the top, and narrow, darker sepals below the flower, forming the ‘doubletail’. An upper sepal projects over the flower like a veranda and has two brown blotches, while the lower tongue-like petal has a ridged fold down its centre.

Distribution

Known only from Rollands Plains, Willawarin, Collombatti and Yarravel NR.

Habitat and ecology

Open Forest
Derived grassland

Regional distribution and habitat

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

NSW North Coast

Threats

Slashing and mowing activities interrupting flowering cycle.
Competition for resources by herbaceous weeds.
Competition for resources by invasive grasses.
Illegal removal of plants by orchid enthusiasts.
Inappropriate fire regimes.
Fragmentation due to agricultural activities and/or roadworks.
Population severely restricted in size and extent.
Poor understanding of the species' complete distribution and abundance
Competition for resources by Lantana (Lantana camara) and other weeds.

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

Appreciate viewing and photographing native orchids but leave them in the wild.
Protect grassy eucalypt forest in the Willawarrin area from fire during the flowering season (spring).
Protect areas of grassy eucalypt forest in the Willawarrin area from clearing and roadworks.
Notify the OEH of any new occurrences of Willawarrin Doubletail.

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 National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Lower North Coast of New South Wales. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville)
NSW Scientific Committee (1998) Diuris disposita (a terrestrial orchid) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.