Conostylis micrantha explained

Conostylis micrantha, commonly known as small-flowered 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 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 in diameter. It has leaves that are round in cross-section, long, 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 tall with a hairy bract long at the base. The perianth is long, finely hairy and pale yellowish-cream aging to red, with lobes long, the anthers long and the style long. Flowering occurs in July and August.[1] [2]

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.[3] The specific epithet (micrantha) means "small-flowered".[4]

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.[1]

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, 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 micrantha . Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment . 92 . 25 December 2023.
  2. Web site: 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 . 25 December 2023.
  3. Web site: Conostylis micrantha Hopper . APNI. 25 December 2023.
  4. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 251–252 . 3rd.
  5. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 25 December 2023.