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Conostylis aculeata

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Conostylis aculeata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Commelinales
Family: Haemodoraceae
Genus: Conostylis
Species:
C. aculeata
Binomial name
Conostylis aculeata
Occurrence data from AVH

Conostylis aculeata, commonly known as prickly conostylis,[2] is a flowering, tufted perennial plant in the family Haemodoraceae. It has flat leaves and yellow, hairy, tubular flowers. It is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia.

Description

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Conostylis aculeata is a perennial tufted or multi-stemmed plant forming clumps 30 cm (12 in) wide and up to 60 cm (24 in) high. The leaves are flat, green, occasionally bluish-green, 60 cm (24 in) long, 1 cm (0.39 in) wide, margins usually with widely spaced spines. The flower stem is green, simple or multi-branched, 3–45 cm (1.2–17.7 in) long and similar length or longer than the leaves, bracts brown or green, flexible, smooth, dry and thin. The perianth is yellow on the inside and outside of the tube, hairy, 5–12 mm (0.20–0.47 in) long, lobes whitish inside, 3–9 mm (0.12–0.35 in) long, stamen upright, and borne in dense, terminal clusters. Flowering occurs from August to November.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy and naming

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Conostylis aculeata was first formally described in 1810 by botanist Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae.[5][6] The specific epithet (aculeata) is in reference to the prickly leaves.[7]

Distribution and habitat

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This conostylis is a widespread species from the Zuytdorp National Park to Augusta and Albany and stretching inland to Cowcowing and Narembeen. It grows in various situations including sand, heath, loam and woodlands. Inland populations prefer wetter sites.[3]

The following is a list of subspecies of C. aculeata accepted by the Australian Plant Census as of October 2023:[1]

  • C. aculeata R.Br. subsp. aculeata
  • C. aculeata subsp. breviflora Hopper
  • C. aculeata subsp. bromelioides (Endl.) J.W.Green
  • C. aculeata subsp. cygnorum Hopper
  • C. aculeata subsp. echinissima Hopper
  • C. aculeata subsp. gracilis Hopper
  • C. aculeata subsp. preissii (Endl.) J.W.Green
  • C. aculeata subsp. rhipidion J.W.Green
  • C. aculeata subsp. septentrionora Hopper
  • C. aculeata subsp. spinuligera (Benth.) Hopper - spiny conostylis

References

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  1. ^ a b "Conostylis aculeata". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Conostylis aculeata". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. ^ a b Hopper, S.D; Purdie, R.W; George, A.S; Patrick, S.J. "Conostylis aculeata". FLORA OF AUSTRALIA. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  4. ^ Wrigley, John; Fagg, Murray (2001). Australian Native Plants. Sydney: Louise Egerton. p. 144. ISBN 1876334304.
  5. ^ "Conostylis aculeata". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  6. ^ Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae et insulae Van-Diemen, exhibens characteres plantarum quas annis 1802-1805. Vol. 1.
  7. ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 127. ISBN 9780958034180.