Thysanotus brachyantherus
| Thysanotus brachyantherus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Lomandroideae |
| Genus: | Thysanotus |
| Species: | T. brachyantherus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Thysanotus brachyantherus N.H.Brittan[1]
| |
Thysanotus brachyantherus is a species of flowering plant in the Asparagaceae family, and is endemic to the south of Western Australia. It is a tufted perennial herb, with more or less terete leaves, umbels of up to four purple flowers with linear sepals, elliptic, fringed petals, six stamens and a straight style.
Description
Thysanotus brachyantherus is a tufted perennial herb with a small rootstock and elliptical tubers 15–30 mm (0.59–1.18 in) long and 50–70 mm (2.0–2.8 in) from the rootstock. There are four or five more or less terete leaves up to 150 mm (5.9 in) long but wither early. The flowers are borne in groups 90–260 mm (3.5–10.2 in) long in up to four umbels, each flower on a pedicel 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long. The flowers are purple, with perianth segments about 9 mm (0.35 in) long, the sepals linear, about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) wide. The petals are elliptic about 3.5 mm (0.14 in) wide with a fringe about 3 mm (0.12 in) long. There are six stamens, the anthers of different lengths, and the style is straight, about 3 mm (0.12 in) long. Flowering occurs from October to December.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy
Thysanotus brachyantherus was first formally described in 1972 by Norman Henry Brittan in the Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia from specimens he collected on a sandplain, near the Russell Range, about 100 mi (160 km) east of Esperance, in 1960.[2][5] The specific epithet (brachyantherus) means 'short anthered'.[6]
Distribution and habitat
This species grows in sandplain vegetation dominated by mallee eucalypts in the Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Mallee and Murchison bioregions of southern Western Australia.[3][4]
Conservation status
Thysanotus brachyantherus is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[4]
References
- ^ "Thysanotus brachyantherus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ a b Brittan, Norman H. (1972). "New Western Australian species of Thysanotus R.Br. (Liliaceae) - 2". Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. 54 (3): 79–81. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ a b Brittan, Norman H. "Thysanotus brachyantherus". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "Thysanotus brachyantherus". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Thysanotus brachyantherus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ George, Alex S.; Sharr, Francis A. (2023). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings - A Glossary (fifth ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables Press. p. 149. ISBN 9780645629538.