Purple pansy orchid

Appearance

''Diuris longifolia'' is a tuberous, perennial herb with channelled, linear leaves 10–20 cm long. The flowers are 2.5–4.5 cm long, coloured purple, yellow and brown and appear from September to November.

Naming

The species was first described by Robert Brown on page 316 of his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen published in 1810. The type specimen was collected by Archibald Menzies near Frenchmans Bay, the present site of the city of Albany around late September or early October 1791. Menzies was surgeon and naturalist on HMS Discovery on the Vancouver Expedition commanded by Captain George Vancouver.

The specific epithet is derived from the Latin words ''longus'' meaning "long":494 and ''folium'' meaning "leaf".:466

Distribution

The species is endemic to the south-western corner of Western Australia, occurring in the Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographical regions. It grows in sand, lateritic loam, clay and granite in moist situations.

Status

''Diuris longifolia'' is not threatened at present.

Habitat

The species is endemic to the south-western corner of Western Australia, occurring in the Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographical regions. It grows in sand, lateritic loam, clay and granite in moist situations.