Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes ProCon History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture Money Videos
donkey orchid
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
donkey orchid
Quizzes
Venus's-flytrap. Venus's-flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) one of the best known of the meat-eating plants. Carnivorous plant, Venus flytrap, Venus fly trap
Plants: From Cute to Carnivorous
Related Questions
Read Next
Flower bingo
Britannica’s Flower Bingo
Plant seedlings emerging from rich fertile soil
Do Plants Feel Pain?
Macro image of pollen-covered bee on purple crocus. (flowers, stamen, pollination, insects, nature)
5 Fast Facts About Flower Anatomy
Anemone coronaria, the poppy anemone, Spanish marigold, or windflower, is a species of flowering plant.
What’s the Difference Between Angiosperms and Gymnosperms?
Shooting star (Dodecatheon pauciflorum).
Botanical Sex: 9 Alluring Adaptations
Discover
A human Inuit skull in a stone chambered cairn in Ilulissat in Greenland. These ancient graves are pre christian and are at least 2000
14 Tough Questions Answered
Santa Claus flying in his sleigh, christmas, reindeer
Was Santa Claus a Real Person?
Ethel Rosenberg arrested in August 1950. Photograph dated Aug. 8, 1950. American civilians executed for espionage. Spies, communists, Julius Rosenberg
Spies Like Us: 10 Famous Names in the Espionage Game
Orange basketball on black background and with low key lighting. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time
Thumbnail for flags that look alike quiz Russia, Slovenia, Iceland, Norway
Flags That Look Alike
New York NY/ USA- November 23, 2018 Hordes of shoppers throng the Macy's Herald Square flagship store in New York looking for bargains on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday.
Why Is It Called Black Friday?
Mona Lisa, oil on wood panel by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1503-06; in the Louvre, Paris, France. 77 x 53 cm.
Why Is the Mona Lisa So Famous?
donkey orchid
donkey orchid Donkey orchid (Diuris).

donkey orchid

plant
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/plant/donkey-orchid
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Also known as: Diuris
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History

donkey orchid, (genus Diuris), genus of about 60 species of terrestrial orchids (family Orchidaceae). One species is found in Java and Timor, and the others are native to Australia. The common donkey orchid (Diuris longifolia) bears three to five purplish flowers about 4 cm (1.5 inches) long. Other well-known species are cat’s face (D. filifolia) and nanny-goat orchid (D. laevis).

Donkey orchids are deciduous perennials and have grasslike leaves. The two upper petals on each flower resemble the ears of a donkey, and the greenish lateral sepals are long and drooping. The fruit is a dry capsule and bears winged seeds.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.