Thysanotus cymosus

Thysanotus cymosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Subfamily:	Lomandroideae
Genus:	Thysanotus
Species:	T. cymosus
Binomial name
Thysanotus cymosus N.H.Brittan [1]

Thysanotus cymosus is a species of flowering plant in the Asparagaceae family, and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a tufted perennial herb, with linear leaves, umbels of 4 to 6 purple flowers with linear sepals, elliptic, fringed petals, six stamens and a straight style.

Description

Thysanotus cymosus is a perennial herb with a small rootstock, fibrous roots and elliptical tubers 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) long about 50–70 mm (2.0–2.8 in) from the stock. There are about 2 or 3 linear, annual leaves up to 200–300 mm (7.9–11.8 in) long surrounded by the sheaths of old leaves. The flowers are borne in umbels of 4 to 6 flowers on a scape 200–250 mm (7.9–9.8 in) long, each flower on a pedicel about 10 mm (0.39 in) long. The flowers are purple, the perianth segments 9–10 mm (0.35–0.39 in) long. The sepals are linear, 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long. There are six stamens, the anthers of different lengths, and the style is about 4 mm (0.16 in) long. Flowering occurs in September and October. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Taxonomy

Thysanotus cymosus was first formally described in 1960 by Norman Henry Brittan in the Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia from specimens he collected 30 mi (48 km) south of Kulin in 1958. ^{[2] [5]} The specific epithet (cymosus) means 'cymose'. ^[6]

Distribution and habitat

This species grows in granitic or lateritic soils on sandplains in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee and Warren bioregions of south-western Western Australia. ^{[3] [4]}

Conservation status

Thysanotus cymosus is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, ^[4] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations, but is not under imminent threat. ^[7]

References

1. "Thysanotus cymosus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
2. Brittan, Norman H. (1960). "New Western Australian Species of Thysanotus R. Br. (Liliaceae)". Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. 43: 13. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
3. Brittan, Norman H. "Thysanotus cymosus". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
4. "Thysanotus cymosus". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
5. "Thysanotus cymosus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
6. George, Alex S.; Sharr, Francis A. (2023). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings - A Glossary (fifth ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables Press. p. 179. ISBN   9780645629538.
7. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 21 August 2025.