Thysanotus parviflorus

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Thysanotus parviflorus
DECF (P4)
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Lomandroideae
Genus: Thysanotus
Species:
T. parviflorus
Binomial name
Thysanotus parviflorus

Thysanotus parviflorus is a species of flowering plant in the Asparagaceae family, and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a perennial herb with fleshy roots and one or two terete, narrowly linear leaves, umbels of four to six purple flowers with linear sepals, broadly elliptic to circular, fringed petals and six stamens of differing lengths.

Contents

Description

Thysanotus parviflorus is a perennial herb with a small rootstock enclosed by bracts and old leaf bases, and has fleshy roots. Its one or two leaves are produced annually, terete, narrowly linear and 100–250 mm (3.9–9.8 in) long. The flowers are borne in an umbel of up to four on a flowering stem 140–250 mm (5.5–9.8 in) long, each flower on a pedicel about 8 mm (0.31 in) long. The flowers are purple, the perianth segments about 7 mm (0.28 in) long. The sepals are linear, about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) wide and the petals are broadly elliptic to circular, 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) wide with a fringe about 2 mm (0.079 in) long. There are six stamens, the three outer anthers 2 mm (0.079 in) long, the inner ones about 3 mm (0.12 in) long. The style is about 3 mm (0.12 in) long. Flowering occurs in October and November. The seeds are 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long and 1 mm (0.039 in) in diameter with a stalked, yellow aril about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long. [2] [3] [4]

Taxonomy

Thysanotus parviflorus 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 West Mount Barren in 1960. [2] [5] The specific epithet (parviflorus) means 'small-flowered'. [6]

Distribution and habitat

This species of Thysanotus grows in low mallee eucalypt sandplain on the lower slopes of hills in sandy-loam soils in southern coastal Western Australia from West Mount Barren to the Stirling Range. [3] [4]

Conservation status

Thysanotus parviflorus is listed as "Priority Four" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, [4] meaning that is rare or near threatened. [7]

References

  1. ↑ "Thysanotus parviflorus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  2. 1 2 Brittan, Norman H. (1972). "New Western Australian species of Thysanotus R.Br. (Liliaceae) - 2". Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. 54 (3): 81, 84–85. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  3. 1 2 Brittan, Norman H. "Thysanotus parviflorus". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "Thysanotus parviflorus". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  5. ↑ "Thysanotus parviflorus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  6. ↑ George, Alex S.; Sharr, Francis A. (2023). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings - A Glossary (fifth ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables Press. p. 280. ISBN   9780645629538.
  7. ↑ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
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