Patersonia spirafolia explained

Patersonia spirafolia (common name - spiral-leaved Patersonia)[1] is a species of plant in the iris family Iridaceae and is endemic to Western Australia.[2]

It was first described by Gregory John Keighery in 1990. There are no synonyms.[2]

Description

Patersonia spirafolia is a perennial herb which grows to 50 cm high in tussocks up to 40 cm wide. It has a woody rootstock. The leaves are linear (20 cm by 5 mm) and spirally twisted. The leaf margins are fringed with soft hairs pointing towards the centre of the leaf. The reddish-green scape is up to 25 cm long, 1-2 mm wide. The structure which envelops the flower cluster is brown. The flowers have three broad, mauve sepals and three very small, upright, blue-violet petals.

It is found to the south west of Badgingarra,[3] growing on sand over laterite.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SPRAT: Species Profile and Threats Database: Patersonia spirifolia — Spiral-leaved Patersonia.
  2. Web site: Patersonia spirafolia Keighery Plants of the World Online Kew Science. 2021-12-04. Plants of the World Online. en.
  3. Web site: Conservation Advice: Patersonia spirifolia. Threatened Species Scientific Committee. 2015-10-01. 2021-12-05.