{{Short description|Species of orchid endemic to Western Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}} {{Speciesbox | image = Drakaea isolata leaves.jpg | image_caption = Immature and mature leaves of ''Drakaea isolata'' | status = EN | status_system = EPBC | genus = Drakaea | species = isolata | authority = [[Stephen Hopper|Hopper]] & [[Andrew Brown (taxonomist)|A.P.Br.]] (2007) | synonyms = }}
'''''Drakaea isolata''''', commonly known as '''lonely hammer orchid''', is a species of [[orchid]] [[Endemism|endemic]] to the south–west of [[Western Australia]]. It is [[Pollination|pollinated]] by a single species of male [[Thynnidae|thynnid]] [[wasp]] using sexual deception. The orchid's [[Labellum (botany)|labellum]] is similar in shape and scent to a flightless female thynnid wasp. It is known from only one population and has been declared "endangered" by the Australian government and "threatened" by the government of Western Australia. It was first collected in 1984 by Robert J. Bates. No other ''[[Drakaea]]'' species is found it the same area but the broad-billed duck orchid (''[[Paracaleana triens]]'') is found nearby.
== Description == ''Drakaea isolata'' is similar to others in the genus in that it has a single, ground hugging leaf and an underground tuber. In this case, the leaf is heart shaped, about {{convert|12|mm|in|sigfig=1}} in diameter and is often withered by the time the flower opens. The leaf is covered with tiny lumps or short hairs, blue-grey with darker lines radiating from the attachment to the stem. The stem is {{convert|10-30|cm|in|sigfig=1}} long and the stalk of the single flower is {{convert|10-15|mm|in|sigfig=1}} long.<ref name=Hopper>{{cite journal|last1=Hopper|first1=Stephen D.|last2=Brown|first2=Andrew P.|title=A revision of Australia' s hammer orchids (Drakaea: Orchidaceae), with some field data on species-specific sexually deceived wasp pollinators|journal=Australian Systematic Botany|date=2007|volume=20|issue=3|pages=273–275|doi=10.1071/SB06033}}</ref>
The flower is also similar to those of other hammer orchids in that the labellum resembles a flightless female thynnid wasp, except that in this species the [[Column (botany)|column]] is pointed, the labellum lacks an upturned end and the main body of the labellum has long hairs and a longer narrow "neck". The [[sepal]] at the back of the flower is {{convert|8-12|mm|in|sigfig=1}} long and the two at the sides are {{convert|6-8|mm|in|sigfig=1}}. The [[petals]] are also {{convert|6-8|mm|in|sigfig=1}} long. The insect-like labellum has a "head" about one-third long as the "body" and has a pair of dark projections near its base . The rest of the labellum (representing the female "body" of the insect) is dark maroon in colour, [[Glabrousness|glabrous]] and not swollen as in ''[[Drakaea glyptodon]]''. The flower is similar to that of ''[[Drakaea confluens]]'' but is smaller and more uniform in colour. Flowers appear from September to the middle of October.<ref name="Hopper" /><ref name=DPAW(1)>{{cite web|last1=Phillimore|first1=Robyn|last2=Stack|first2=Gillian|last3=Brown|first3=Andrew|title=Lonely hammer orchid (Drakaea isolata ms.) interim recovery plant (2000-2003)|url=http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/threatened-species/recovery_plans/Approved_interim_recovery_plans_/dra_iso_irp81.pdf|publisher=Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife|accessdate=13 November 2015}}</ref>
== Taxonomy and naming == ''Drakaea isolata'' was first formally described by [[Stephen Hopper]] and Andrew Brown in 2007. Their description was published in ''[[Australian Systematic Botany]]''.<ref name=APNI>{{cite web|title=Drakaea isolata |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/name/apni/219744|publisher=APNI|accessdate=13 November 2015}}</ref> The [[Botanical nomenclature|specific epithet]] (''isolata'') is a [[Latin]] word meaning "isolated" in reference to this species of hammer orchid being found well away from others.<ref name="Hopper" />
== Distribution and habitat == Lonely hammer orchid occurs near [[Pingrup, Western Australia|Pingrup]]<ref name="Hopper" /> in the [[Mallee (biogeographic region)|Mallee]] biogeographic region<ref name=FloraBase>{{FloraBase|name=''Drakaea isolata''|id =15406}}</ref> where it grows in sand near a salt lake.<ref name=flora>{{cite book|last1=Paczkowska|first1=Grazyna|last2=Chapman|first2=Alex R.|title=The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue|date=2000|publisher=Wildflower Society of Western Australia|location=Perth|isbn=0646402439|page=85}}</ref>
== Conservation == The Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife classifies the species as "threatened"<ref name="FloraBase" /> meaning that it is considered likely to become extinct, or rare and in need of special protection.<ref name=codes>{{cite web|title=Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna|url=https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/threatened-species/Listings/Conservation%20code%20definitions.pdf|publisher=Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife|accessdate=29 July 2019}}</ref> In 2003, the entire population of the species was estimated to be about 75 mature plants and a number of immature ones.<ref name="DPAW(1)" /> The Australian Government lists its status under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act as "endangered". The main threats to the species' survival are road and track maintenance, airborne dust, changes to groundwater levels and inappropriate fire regimes.<ref name=environment>{{cite web|title=Drakaea isolata — Lonely Hammer-orchid SPRAT Profile|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=64669|publisher=Government of Australia Department of the Environment|accessdate=13 November 2015}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q15459234}}
[[Category:Drakaea|isolata]] [[Category:Orchids of Western Australia]] [[Category:Endemic orchids of Australia]] [[Category:Plants described in 2007]] [[Category:Endemic flora of Western Australia]] [[Category:Taxa named by Stephen Hopper]]