Nature conservation

Threatened species

Pine Donkey Orchid population in the Muswellbrook local government area - 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 tricolor - endangered population
Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Population
Commonwealth status: Not listed
Gazetted date: 27 Apr 2007
Profile last updated: 24 Jul 2019

Description

Diuris tricolor is an endemic Australian terrestrial orchid (i.e. it grows rooted in the ground rather than from rocks or trees). Plants have between one and three leaves which are up to 30 cm long and 0.4 cm wide. The flower stalk is between 20-40 cm high and has 2-6 flowers, which are bright yellow to orange, speckled with red to purple and white markings. The sepals (the down-pointing slender green segments) are very long and often crossed. The Muswellbrook Local Government Area (LGA) population of Diuris tricolor has particularly large flowers relative to other populations of the species.

Distribution

The population of Diuris tricolor in the Muswellbrook LGA, in the upper Hunter Valley, comprises a number of occurrences, ranging from a few scattered individuals to a few thousand plants. The area of occupancy of the population is less than 50 km2. Therefore, the geographic distribution of the population is estimated to be highly restricted. The population of Diuris tricolor in the Muswellbrook LGA is at the eastern limit of the geographic range of the species and all other populations of the species are located west of the Great Dividing Range. The distance of the Muswellbrook LGA population to the nearest population of the species to the west is about 100 km. Therefore the population in the Muswellbrook LGA is disjunct and at the limit of its geographic range.

Habitat and ecology

  • Found in sclerophyll woodland and derived grassland on flats or small rises, on a range of substrates including sandy or loamy soils.
  • The habitat of Diuris tricolor in the Muswellbrook LGA has been fragmented by past land clearing.

Regional distribution and habitat

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


Threats

Recovery strategies

Activities to assist this species

Information sources

IBRA Bioregion IBRA Subregion Known or predicted Geographic restrictions region
NSW North CoastEllerston Predicted Muswellbrook LGA
Sydney BasinHunter Known Muswellbrook LGA
Sydney BasinKerrabee Known Muswellbrook LGA