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Diuris chryseopsis

common golden moths

Orchidaceae Southeastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Diuris chryseopsis is a small terrestrial orchid growing from an underground tuber, sending up a flowering stem 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall in late winter and spring. One or two narrow, grass-like leaves 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long rise from the base. Each stem carries one to several yellow flowers about 0.6-1 inch (15-25 mm) across, marked with brown or purplish spots near the centre, the upper petals held erect like moth wings and the narrow green lateral sepals crossed below the flower. After flowering the plant sets dust-like seed and dies back to the dormant tuber, which rests underground through the dry summer. New growth appears with autumn and winter rain. It grows in grassland and grassy woodland on seasonally moist soils and stays inconspicuous outside the flowering season.

Native Range

Native to southeastern Australia, including Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania. Grows in grassland and grassy woodland on seasonally moist clay and loam soils, often among native grasses.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native grassland restorations and specialist orchid collections on seasonally moist soils, set in small groups among native grasses. Suited to grassy meadow plantings that stay dry in summer. The brief flowering and summer dormancy leave the ground bare for much of the year.

How to Identify

Recognized by one or two grass-like basal leaves and a stem 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall carrying yellow flowers about 0.6-1 inch (15-25 mm) across with brown or purplish central markings. The erect upper petals resemble moth wings, and the narrow green lateral sepals cross below the flower. The plant is visible only from late winter to late spring before it dies back.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'

Width/Spread2" - 4"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowers in late winter and spring, mainly August to October in its native range. Flowering follows good autumn and winter rain and is brief, with each plant in bloom for two to three weeks. After flowering the plant dies back to its tuber.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow with brown markings

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-9 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Flowers two to three years from seed

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to light shade on clay or loam soils that are moist in winter and spring and dry in summer, at a pH of about 5.5-7.0. Needs winter and spring moisture during growth and a dry summer rest while the tuber is dormant. Watering through the summer dormancy rots the tuber. Like many terrestrial orchids it depends on soil fungi and is hard to transplant or cultivate outside its native ground. Snails and slugs damage the flowers and foliage. The plant multiplies slowly by forming new tubers.

Pruning

Remove the spent flowering stem after seed set where self-seeding is not wanted. The leaves are left to die back naturally, as they feed the tuber for the next season. No other pruning applies.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown