Conostylis latens is a rhizomatous, tufted perennial, grass-like plant or herb in the family Haemodoraceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has flat, green, usually hairy leaves, and greenish-yellow, tubular flowers.
| Conostylis latens | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Commelinales |
| Family: | Haemodoraceae |
| Genus: | Conostylis |
| Species: | C. latens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Conostylis latens | |
Description
editConostylis latens is a rhizomatous, tufted, perennial, grass-like plant or herb. It has flat, green leaves 100–270 mm (3.9–10.6 in) long and 2.0–3.5 mm (0.079–0.138 in) wide, usually with white, feather-like hairs on the edges. Several flowers are borne on a hemispherical head on a flowering stem 90–200 mm (3.5–7.9 in) long and slightly shorter than the leaves. The perianth is 10–13 mm (0.39–0.51 in) long and pale yellowish-green, ageing to brick red, the lobes 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long and cream-coloured inside. The anthers are 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long and the style 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in) long. Flowering occurs in August and September.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
editConostylis latens was first formally described in 1987 by Stephen Hopper in the Flora of Australia from specimens he collected on Mount Michaud, 1.5 km (0.93 mi) west of Mount Lesueur in 1982.[4][5] The specific epithet (latens) means "hidden" or "secret", referring to the fact that the species was overlooked until late in the study of Conostylis.[6]
Distribution and habitat
editThis conostylis grows in sand or sandy soils over laterite in mallee heath, low woodland, winter-wet areas and swamps, mainly between Mount Lesueur and the Moore River in the Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[2][3]
References
edit- ^ "Conostylis latens". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Conostylis latens". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b Hopper, S.D; Purdie, R.W; George, A.S; Patrick, S.J. "Conostylis hiemalis". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Conostylis latens Hopper". APNI. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Hopper, S.D; Purdie, R.W; George, A.S; Patrick, S.J. "Conostylis hiemalis" (PDF). Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. p. 95. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 235. ISBN 9780958034180.