Conostylis lepidospermoides, commonly known as sedge conostylis,[1] 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, yellowish-green, glabrous leaves, and lemon-yellow, tubular flowers.
| Conostylis lepidospermoides | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Commelinales |
| Family: | Haemodoraceae |
| Genus: | Conostylis |
| Species: | C. lepidospermoides
|
| Binomial name | |
| Conostylis lepidospermoides | |
Description
editConostylis lepidospermoides is a rhizomatous, tufted, perennial, grass-like plant or herb. It has flat leaves 170–360 mm (6.7–14.2 in) long, 1.0–1.6 mm (0.039–0.063 in) wide and glabrous, apart from bristles or hairs on the leaf margins. The flowers are borne in a loose cyme on a flowering stem 10–40 mm (0.39–1.57 in) tall with up to 6 flowers and a bract 5–21 mm (0.20–0.83 in) long at the base, each flower 13–18 mm (0.51–0.71 in) long on a pedicel 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long. The perianth is lemon-yellow and hairy, with lobes 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long, the anthers 4.0–5.5 mm (0.16–0.22 in) long and the style 9.5–11.5 mm (0.37–0.45 in) long. Flowering occurs in late September and October. It is inconspicuous when not in flower, but has some of the largest flowers in the genus.[1][3][4]
Taxonomy and naming
editConostylis lepidospermoides was first formally described in 1987 by Stephen Hopper in the Flora of Australia, from specimens he collected 24 km (15 mi) north-east of Munglinup in 1978.[3][5] The specific epithet (lepidospermoides) means "Lepidosperma-like", referring to the leaves.[6]
Distribution and habitat
editThis conostylis grows in sandy soils over laterite on road verges near cleared farmland, from near Ravensthorpe to the 90-mile Tank on the Norseman-Lake King Road, in the Esperance Plains and Mallee bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[1][3]
Conservation status
editConostylis lepidospermoides is listed as "Threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[1] meaning that it is in danger of extinction.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Conostylis lepidospermoides". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Conostylis lepidospermoides". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ a b c Hopper, S.D; Purdie, R.W; George, A.S; Patrick, S.J. "Conostylis lepidospermoides" (PDF). Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. pp. 80–81. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ Hopper, S.D; Purdie, R.W; George, A.S; Patrick, S.J. "Conostylis lepidospermoides". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ "Conostylis lepidospermoides Hopper". APNI. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 238. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 4 April 2023.