Diuris chryseopsis (Common Golden Moth Orchid)

At last some of the puzzling pure yellow "Donkey Orchids". My blogging colleague "Junior Lepid" has been teasing me with the plants in the Grampians, including several Donkey Orchids which I have not seen.

So, I am pleased to be able to return the compliment, by showing a new species (for me) - Diuris chryseopsis, as far as I can tell (that's why I refer to them as "puzzling").
I was shown these flowers today, at Mount Rae, between Taralga and Crookwell, in the Southern Tablelands of NSW, about half an hour's drive north-east of Goulburn (1.5 hours driving time south from Robertson).

(Click to enlarge to see detail of the flower).

The forests of Mt. Rae are very different from Robertson. Mostly dense Eucalypt forest, with native tussock grasses, but relatively little understory shrubbery. It is a rare type of bush known as Basalt Tableland Forest. It is good country for Grey Kangaroos, Red-necked and Swamp Wallabies and Euros. More to my particular interest, however was the wonderful massed display of "wildflowers" on these hillsides, especially the Orchids.

Today I shall show you only the Orchids. I need to do some research on the other species I photographed, today.

Orchid seen from the rear - note the stripes.

It was drizzling today, and the flowers were wet.
But you can see how these flowers hold themselves in a flat manner,
instead of the more vertical form of the more common Donkey Orchids.
This earns this plant the name "Small Snake Orchid".
They look as if they are poised to "strike".

These plants are also known as "Common Golden Moth Orchids". Not sure why, except that they could (possibly) be interpreted as golden moths flying amongst the grasses.

This amazing display of these Orchids shows how prolifically these plants grow in some areas at Mt Rae. The soil was heavy clay, in a cleared paddock, on a slope.
This was completely amazing for me. It well and truly justified my journey - even on a damp day.

Thanks to the remarkably dedicated Mark Selmes for showing me these plants.

Lets hope that Mark can secure Mount Rae's forests from irresponsible logging of Australia's precious native forests.

In my view it is very important for Governments and bureaucrats and policy makers to understand that trees are not just "fuel" - they are habitat for plants and animals as well as holding together our precious, delicate and ancient soils; catching rain, and making Australia what it is.

If we destroy this Mt Rae forest (or others from one end of Australia to the other) then Australia will lose its distinctive and precious wildlife, (and wildflowers like these Orchids) as well as lose its precious identity.