The buds develop rapidly and flowering is in progress about six weeks after the initialising rain event. In the absence of rain at the appropriate season the plants remain dormant
Wide variety of habitats including coastal districts, heathlands, heathy woodlands, sedgelands, forests, and Spear Grass-tree (Xanthorrheoa resinosa) plains
Peak flowering period:
Victoria/NSW: December to February
Queensland: August
Australia: August to February
NSW: December to January
Similar species: large tongue-orchid (Cryptostylis subulata) and the small tongue-orchid (Cryptostylisleptochila)
Dendrobium antennatum Lindl.
Endangered
Queensland
Riverine areas in lowland gorges, growing on rainforest trees
Peak flowering period: erratic but usually March to November or possibly throughout the year, with an emphasis on winter
Similar species: not specified
Dendrobium bigibbum Lindl.
Vulnerable
Queensland
Epiphyte, lithophyte; branches of small trees, or on rocks, in open monsoon forests, often occurring along creeks or on rocky hillsides where fire cannot penetrate
Peak flowering period: may occur between January and October, with an emphasis on March to August and the flowers last about a month
Similar species: not specified
Dendrobium brachypus (Endl.) Rchb.f. (Norfolk Island orchid)
Endangered
Norfolk Island
Occurs on tree branches in forests on mountain slopes
Vegetative growth: autumn, usually after the beginning of seasonal rains.
Peak flowering period: mid-October to early November, and is over by early December.
Hot summer fires are likely to enhance flowering in the following flowering season
Similar species: Wedge Diuris (Diuris dendrobioides)
Diuris lanceolata Lindl. (snake orchid)
Endangered
Tasmania, NSW and Queensland
Coastal scrub and windswept coastal grassland and heathland among dwarfed shrubs and sedges on moist to well-drained sandy and clay loam, sometimes on rocky outcrops
Peak flowering period: November to January predominantly in November
Similar species: Diuris chryseopsis and D. behrii
Diuris micrantha D.L.Jones (dwarf bee-orchid)
Vulnerable
WA
Winter-wet depressions or swamps
Peak flowering period: August to early October
Dormant between November and late April
Similar species: Bee orchid (Diuris laxiflora)
Diuris ochroma D.L.Jones (pale golden moths)
Vulnerable
NSW, Victoria
Montane riparian grassland; wet open grassland
Peak flowering period: November and December
Similar species: not specified
Diuris pedunculata (small snake orchid)
Endangered
NSW, Victoria
Open areas of dry scherophyll forests with grassy understories, in riparian forest, swamp forests, subalpine grassland and herbfields
Peak flowering period: August to October
Similar species: Diuris longifolia and D. subalpina
Diuris praecox D.L.Jones (Newcastle doubletail)
Vulnerable
NSW
Near-coastal districts open heathy forests
Vegetative growth: winter
Peak flowering period: late July to early September
Similar species: Lemon doubletail (D. abbreviata)
Diuris purdiei Diels (Purdie’s donkey-orchid)
Endangered
WA
Grows among native sedges in areas subject to winter inundation
Peak flowering period: late September to mid October
Dormant between late November and late April
Flowers only after a summer fire
Similar species: Diuris laevis
Diuris venosa Rupp (veined doubletail)
Vulnerable
NSW
Semi-swampy area and low-lying sites, swamp margins in tall open forest