Conostylis lepidospermoides explained

Conostylis lepidospermoides, commonly known as sedge conostylis, 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.

Description

Conostylis lepidospermoides is a rhizomatous, tufted, perennial, grass-like plant or herb. It has flat leaves long, wide and glabrous, apart from bristles or hairs on the leaf margins. The flowers are borne in a loose cyme on a flowering stem tall with up to 6 flowers and a bract long at the base, each flower long on a pedicel long. The perianth is lemon-yellow and hairy, with lobes long, the anthers long and the style 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] [2]

Taxonomy and naming

Conostylis lepidospermoides was first formally described in 1987 by Stephen Hopper in the Flora of Australia, from specimens he collected north-east of Munglinup in 1978.[3] The specific epithet (lepidospermoides) means "Lepidosperma-like", referring to the leaves.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This 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]

Conservation status

Conostylis lepidospermoides is listed as "Threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is in danger of extinction.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 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 . 80–81 . 11 December 2023.
  2. Web site: 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 . 15 December 2023.
  3. Web site: Conostylis lepidospermoides Hopper . APNI. 15 December 2023.
  4. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 238 . 3rd.
  5. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 4 April 2023.