banded bee orchid

Diuris laxiflora is a tuberous, perennial herb with two to five narrowly linear leaves 150–300 mm (5.9–11.8 in) long and 2.0–3.5 mm (0.079–0.138 in) wide. Up to five yellow flowers with brown markings, 25–35 mm (0.98–1.38 in) long and 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 300–800 mm (12–31 in) tall. The dorsal sepal is narrowly egg-shaped, 7–13 mm (0.28–0.51 in) long and 5.5–8 mm (0.22–0.31 in) wide, the lateral sepals parallel or crossed, 10–14 mm (0.39–0.55 in) long and 2.0–3.5 mm (0.079–0.138 in) wide. The petals are elliptic to egg-shaped or almost round, 7–12 mm (0.28–0.47 in) long and 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) wide on a stalk 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long. The labellum is 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in) long with three lobes - the centre lobe broadly wedge-shaped, 7–11 mm (0.28–0.43 in) long and 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in) wide, the side lobes spread widely apart and oblong, 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long, 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) wide and with a prominent red blotch at the base. There is are two calli outlined with red either side of the mid-line of the labellum. Flowering occurs from September to early November.

Bee orchid is endemic to the south western corner of Western Australia, occurring in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographical regions of Western Australia. It grows in sand, lateritic loam, clay and granite rock margins in winter-wet swamps.

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