Calectasia gracilis

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Calectasia gracilis
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
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>Calectasia</i> genus of plants

Calectasia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Dasypogonaceae. They are commonly referred to as tinsel lilies, and are endemic to southern Australia.

<i>Thelymitra crinita</i> species of plant

Thelymitra crinita, commonly known as the blue lady orchid, the queen orchid, the lily orchid, is a species of orchid which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single broad, oval leaf and up to fifteen brilliant blue flowers with a blue column with the lobe on top of the anther covered with short, finger-like calli.

Melaleuca keigheryi is a shrub in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae with white, papery bark and is endemic to the west coast of Western Australia. In spring, it has heads of pink flowers which fade in color to become white.

<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>Calectasia grandiflora</i> species of 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 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 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 south-west 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.

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.

<i>Kunzea montana</i> species of plant

Kunzea montana, commonly known as mountain kunzea, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub or small tree with more or less round leaves and heads of cream-coloured to pale yellow flowers on the ends of the branches in late spring. It is an uncommon species, growing on rocky mountain slopes, but all populations are conserved in the Stirling Range National Park.

Prasophyllum drummondii, commonly known as the swamp leek orchid, is a species of orchid endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a late-flowering species with a single tubular leaf and up to thirty brownish-orange or pale yellow flowers and often grows in standing water.

Calectasia Conservation Park Protected area in South Australia

Calectasia Conservation Park, formerly the Calectasia National Parks Reserve, is a protected area located in the Australian state of South Australia in the locality of Wattle Range about 320 kilometres (200 mi) south-east of the state capital of Adelaide and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of the town of Penola.

Thelymitra spiralis, commonly called curly locks, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect leaf, spiralling around the flowering stem and up to three pink, reddish, purplish or blue flowers with two large yellow or orange ear-like arms on the sides of the column.

Thelymitra pulcherrima, commonly called the northern Queen of Sheba, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect, spiral, dark green leaf with a purplish base and up to seven glossy, variegated flowers with the sepals and petals differing in colour. The petals and sepals and basically reddish or purplish but with streaks and blotches of contrasting colours. There are two bright yellow or orange arms on the sides of the column.

Boronia interrex, commonly known as the Regent River boronia, is a plant in the citrus family, Rutaceae and is endemic to a small area in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It is an erect, sometimes low-lying shrub with pinnate leaves, cream-coloured to pale pink sepals and pink petals, the sepals longer and wider than the petals.

<i>Caladenia rosea</i>

Caladenia rosea, also known as pink primrose orchid, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is endemic to relatively inaccessible, high lateritic plateaux in a high rainfall area in south-western Western Australia. It is a terrestrial orchid with a single hairy leaf and up to three pink flowers on a thin, sparsely-hairy stem. It is similar to Caladenia flava but is distinguished by the perianth being pink to dark pink with prominent red striping and spotting on the dorsal sepal and lateral petals. Caladenia rosea mimics Hypocalymma robustum (Myrtaceae) in terms of flowering time, colour and scent.

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 Parks and Wildlife.
  3. "Calectasia gracilis". APNI. Retrieved 14 February 2015.