| Conostylis micrantha | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Commelinales |
| Family: | Haemodoraceae |
| Genus: | Conostylis |
| Species: | C. micrantha
|
| Binomial name | |
| Conostylis micrantha | |
Conostylis micrantha, commonly known as small-flowered conostylis, [3] 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 leaves that are round in cross-section and have bristles or hairs on the lower edges, and pale yellowish cream, tubular flowers.
Description
Conostylis micrantha is a rhizomatous, perennial, grass-like plant or herb forming tufts up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. It has leaves that are round in cross-section, 130–240 mm (5.1–9.4 in) long, 0.7–1.2 mm (0.028–0.047 in) in diameter and glabrous, except for the lower edges of the leaves. The flowers are borne in a forked, flattened head with many flowers on a flowering stem 50–130 mm (2.0–5.1 in) tall with a hairy bract 3–8 mm (0.12–0.31 in) long at the base. The perianth is 5.0–7.5 mm (0.20–0.30 in) long, finely hairy and pale yellowish-cream aging to red, with lobes 2.5–4.5 mm (0.098–0.177 in) long, the anthers 1.0–1.7 mm (0.039–0.067 in) long and the style 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long. Flowering occurs in July and August. [3] [4] [5]
Taxonomy and naming
Conostylis micrantha was first formally described in 1987 by Stephen Hopper in the Flora of Australia, from specimens he collected near Mount Horner in 1982. [4] [6] The specific epithet (micrantha) means "small-flowered". [7]
Distribution and habitat
This conostylis grows heath on sandplains north of the Irwin River, in the Avon Wheatbelt and Geraldton Sandplains bioregions of south-western Western Australia. [3] [4]
Conservation status
Conostylis micrantha is listed as "vulnerable" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and as Threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, [3] meaning that it is in danger of extinction. [8]
References
- ^ "Conostylis micrantha — Small-flowered Conostylis". Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ "Conostylis micrantha". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Conostylis micrantha". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b c Hopper, S.D; Purdie, R.W; George, A.S; Patrick, S.J. "Conostylis micrantha" (PDF). Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. p. 92. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
- ^ Hopper, S.D; Purdie, R.W; George, A.S; Patrick, S.J. "Conostylis micrantha". Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
- ^ "Conostylis micrantha Hopper". APNI. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
- ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. pp. 251–252. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 25 December 2023.