Calectasia gracilis

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Calectasia gracilis
Calectasia gracilis.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Dasypogonaceae
Genus: Calectasia
Species:
C. gracilis
Binomial name
Calectasia gracilis
Calectasia3gracilisDistMap.png
Occurrence data from AVH

Calectasia gracilis, commonly known as blue tinsel lily, is a plant in the family Dasypogonaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a spreading, tufted, woody, perennial herb with blue petals and six yellow stamens that turn orange-red as they age. 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.

Contents

Description

Calectasia gracilis is an undershrub with stilt roots but without a rhizome. It grows to a height of 20–45 cm (8–20 in) with a few short side branches. The leaves are glabrous, 5.4–7.2 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and about 0.5 mm (0.02 in) with a short, sharp point on the end. The base of the petals (strictly tepals) forms a tube 5.7–6.9 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long with lobes 8–9.5 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide forming a blue, papery star-like pattern which fades to pale blue with age. In the centre of the star are six yellow stamens which turn orange-red with age. The style is 6.2–7.2 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and extends beyond the stamens. [1] Flowers appear from August to October. [2]

Taxonomy and naming

Calectasia gracilis is one of eleven species in the genus Calectasia. It was first formally described in 2001 by Gregory John Keighery from a specimen collected near Cape Riche by Russell Barrett and Kingsley Dixon. [3] The specific epithet (gracilis) is from the Latin gracilis meaning "slender". [1]

Distribution and habitat

This species of blue tinsel lily occurs from Albany and Stirling Range National Park east to Hopetoun. It is scattered in the Stirling Range, Fitzgerald River and Frank Hann national parks, growing on quartzite sands, in mallee woodland or heath often over laterite or granite. [1]

Conservation status

Calectasia gracilis is uncommon but widespread and is classified as not threatened by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Darwinia</i> (plant) Genus of flowering plants

Darwinia, sometimes commonly known as mountain bells or simply bells, is a genus of about 70 species of evergreen shrubs in the family Myrtaceae, endemic to southeastern and southwestern Australia. The majority are native to southern Western Australia, but a few species occur in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. The genus was named in honour of Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of Charles Darwin by Edward Rudge in 1816. Most darwinias grow to a height of between 0.2 and 3 m, and many are prostrate shrubs. Most have small, simple leaves and the flowers are often grouped together, each flower with five red, white or greenish petals and ten stamens. In many species, the flowers are surrounded by large, colourful bracts, giving rise to their common names.

<i>Calectasia</i> Genus of flowering plants

Calectasia is a genus of about fifteen species of flowering plants in the family Dasypogonaceae and is endemic to south-western Australia. Plants is this genus are small, erect shrubs with branched stems covered by leaf sheaths. The flowers are star-shaped, lilac-blue to purple and arranged singly on the ends of short branchlets.

<i>Calectasia intermedia</i> Species of plant

Calectasia intermedia, commonly known as blue tinsel-lily or eastern tinsel lily is a species of flowering plant in the family Dasypogonaceae, endemic to the border areas of western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia and flowering in early spring. It is the only member of the genus Calectasia that is not endemic to Western Australia.

<i>Baeometra</i> Genus of flowering plants

Baeometra is a genus in the family Colchicaceae containing a single species, Baeometra uniflora. It is native to South Africa, where it is commonly called beetle lily due to the dark markings on the tepals.

<i>Calectasia grandiflora</i> Species of flowering plant

Calectasia grandiflora, commonly known as the blue tinsel lily, is a plant in the family Dasypogonaceae growing as a perennial herb endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It flowers in spring.

<i>Calectasia cyanea</i> Species of plant

Calectasia cyanea, commonly known as the star of Bethlehem or blue tinsel lily, is a plant in the family Dasypogonaceae growing as a perennial herb and is endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. Restricted to a single population in Torndirrup National Park, it is critically endangered.

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.

<i>Calectasia hispida</i> Species of flowering plant

Calectasia hispida, commonly known as blue tinsel lily or hispid tinsel lily, is a plant in the family Dasypogonaceae growing as a rhizomatous, erect, clumping perennial herb. It is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia and is common in most of its range. It is similar to the other species of Calectasia and is distinguished from them mainly by the hairiness of its leaves and the glabrousness of the throat of the flowers.

Calectasia keigheryi, commonly known as blue tinsel lily, is a plant in the family Dasypogonaceae growing as an erect, rhizomatous, perennial 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 relatively easily distinguished from the others mainly by its smaller flowers, unusual anther shape, and hairs on the lower part of the petals.

<i>Calectasia narragara</i> Species of flowering plant

Calectasia narragara, commonly known as a blue tinsel lily or star of Bethlehem, is a plant in the family Dasypogonaceae growing as a tufted rhizomatous herb. It is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia and common in most of its range.

Calectasia pignattiana, commonly known as the stilted tinsel lily or Pignatti's star of Bethlehem, is a plant in the family Dasypogonaceae growing as a perennial herb and is endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. It is only known from ten locations, four of which are on road verges. The species is classified as vulnerable.

<i>Calectasia obtusa</i> Species of flowering plant

Calectasia obtusa, commonly known as a blue tinsel lily or blunt-leaved tinsel lily is a plant in the family Dasypogonaceae growing as an erect, small shrub with stems to 50 cm. It is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, widespread in most of its range but only known from nine populations.

Calectasia palustris, commonly known as a blue tinsel lily or swamp tinsel lily is a plant in the family Dasypogonaceae growing as a perennial, tufted herb with stilt roots. 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.

Calytrix ecalycata is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a slender, erect shrub with linear to narrowly elliptic leaves, and yellow flowers with 35 to 50 stamens in several rows.

<i>Hypocalymma asperum</i> Species of flowering plant

Hypocalymma asperum is a species of flowering in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south west region of Western Australia. It is an erect, multi-branched or spreading shrublet, with relatively short, stout leaves, and rose pink flowers.

<i>Hypocalymma elongatum</i> Species of flowering plant

Hypocalymma elongatum is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south west of Western Australia. It is a large, bushy shrub with linear leaves more or less triangular in cross section, and pink flowers arranged in pairs in leaf axils with 30 to 50 stamens.

Hypocalymma gardneri is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south west of Western Australia. It is a widely spreading subshrub, with linear leaves and yellow flowers arranged in pairs in leaf axils, with 80 to 105 stamens in several rows.

<i>Hypocalymma hirsutum</i> Species of flowering plant

Hypocalymma hirsutum is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south west of Western Australia. It is a low-growing shrub, with leaves arranged in opposite pairs, narrowly egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base, and bright yellow flowers arranged singly in leaf axils, with usually 80 to 110 stamens in several rows.

<i>Hypocalymma myrtifolium</i> Species of flowering plant

Hypocalymma myrtifolium is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to a restricted area in the south west of Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with egg-shaped to elliptic leaves and white or cream-coloured flowers with 30 to 50 stamens in several rows.

<i>Hypocalymma phillipsii</i> Species of flowering plant

Hypocalymma phillipsii is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to a restricted part of Western Australia. It is an erect, spreading shrub with elliptic to very broadly egg-shaped leaves, and white flowers arranged singly or in pairs in leaf axils, with 30 to 50 stamens in several rows.

References

  1. 1 2 3 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): 422–424. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Calectasia gracilis Keighery". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. "Calectasia gracilis". APNI. Retrieved 14 February 2015.