It grows in moist soil on granite outcrops and flowers much more prolifically after fire the previous summer.

Diuris setacea is a tuberous, perennial herb with between six and ten spirally twisted leaves in a tuft at its base.

[2][3][4] Diuris setacea was first described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.

[7] The bristly donkey orchid grows in low heath in moist soil on granite outcrops between Esperance and Kalbarri.

[3] Diuris setacea is classified as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.