501B-2-Diuris-sulphurea-fl-Cathy-Powers.jpg

Diuris sulphurea

Tiger Orchid

Slender to stout erect perennial herb spreading from daughter tubers to produce extensive colonies.

Additional information

  • FamilyOrchidaceae
  • StoreyLower storey
  • Size23-60 cm high
  • Plant groupingOrchids
  • LeavesTuft of 1-3 narrow, erect or lax channelled leaves 15-50 cm x 7 mm, red spots at the base.
  • Flower colourYellow, 2 dark brown spots near base of central sepal
  • Flowering timeOctober to December
  • Flowers1-6 flowers to 30 mm across; central sepal broad, pointing forward; narrow greenish-brown lateral sepals drooping, crossed or spreading, margins inrolled. Petals stalked, oval, obliquely erect; lip 3-lobed, brown bar across folded mid lobe.
  • Bird attractingNo
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatNo
  • Growing conditionsWell drained soil on slopes of the foothills in open forests. Semi shade.
  • Garden useUse of orchids in gardens is not recommended, unless they already occur naturally, in which case they need to be protected. Removing orchids from the bush usually results in their death and further depletes remaining wild orchid populations.
  • Commercially availableNever
  • Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
  • Aboriginal Use Food - tuber
Photographer/s: 1, 2 Cathy Powers ©; 3 Neil Blair, © Royal Botanic Gardens Board

Plant Communities

  • 30 Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83)
  • 19 Long-leaf Box Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23)
  • 26 Red Stringybark Grassy Dry Forest - Middle Yarra (EVC 22)
  • 18 Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 45)
  • 27 Red Stringybark Grassy Dry Forest - Dandenongs (EVC 22)
  • Page 1 of 1