Calectasia browneana
| Calectasia browneana | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | (unplaced) |
| Family: | Dasypogonaceae |
| Genus: | Calectasia |
| Species: | C. browneana |
| Binomial name | |
| Calectasia browneana Keighery, K.W.Dixon & R.L.Barrett | |
Calectasia browneana, commonly known as Blue tinsel lily is a plant in the family Dasypogonaceae growing as a spreading, perennial, tufted herb. It is an uncommon species, endemic and restricted to a few areas in the south-west of Western Australia. It is similar to the other species of Calectasia and has only been recognised as a separate species since a review of the genus in 2001. It is distinguished from the others mainly by the hairiness of its leaves and lack of a rhizome.
Description
Calectasia browneana is an undershrub with stilt roots but without a rhizome. It grows to a height of about 60 cm with many very short side branches. Each leaf blade is 8.3–15.2 x 0.2–0.4 mm tapering to a short, sharp point on the end and densely covered with fine hairs. The base of the petals (strictly tepals) form a tube 7.2–8.0 mm long, while the outer parts spread outwards to form a pale blue-pink, papery star-like pattern. In the centre of the star are six yellow stamens forming a tube which turns orange-red with age. The thin style extends beyond the stamens.[1] Flowers appear from June to August.[2]
Taxonomy and naming
Calectasia browneana is one of eleven species in the genus Calectasia. It was described as a new species in 2001 by K.W. Dixon and R.L. Barrett from a specimen collected on the Coorow-Greenhead Road.[3] The specific epithet (browneana) refers to the owners of a property where the species is found and "who have endeavoured to conserve high conservation value kwongan vegetation on their land".[1]
Distribution and habitat
This species of blue tinsel lily is uncommon and found in only two, separate areas of the south-west of Western Australia - the Coorow-Eneabba region and near Kalbarri. It grows in white-grey sand over laterite in kwongan vegetation.[1]
Conservation status
Calectasia browneana is classified as "priority 2"[2] by the government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife meaning that it is a species known from only a few locations and is in urgent need of further surveys.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Barrett, Russell L.; Dixon, Kingsley W. (8 January 2001). "A revision of the genus Calectasia (Calectasiaceae) with eight new species described from south-west Western Australia". Nuytsia 13 (3): 422. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Calectasia browneana Keighery, K.W.Dixon & R.L.Barrett". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia.
- ↑ "Calectasia browneana Keighery, K.W.Dixon & R.L.Barrett". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ↑ "Conservation codes for Western Australian flora and fauna". Department of parks and wildlife. Retrieved 23 February 2015.