| Xanthosia ciliata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Near Cataby | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Xanthosia |
| Species: | X. ciliata |
| Binomial name | |
| Xanthosia ciliata | |
Xanthosia ciliata is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a low spreading shrub with linear leaves and yellowish-green to cream-coloured or white flowers.
Xanthosia ciliata is a low, spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 5–25 cm (2.0–9.8 in), its leaves linear to wedge-shaped. The inflorescence is arranged in leaf axils or on the ends of branches and is usually a small, compound umbel with four short rays. Each partial umbel is subtended by a leaf-like, softly-hairy involucral bract less than 2 mm (0.079 in) long. The sepals are tapering heart-shaped and the petals are yellowish-green to cream-coloured or white. Flowering occurs from October to December or January. [2] [3]
Xanthosia ciliata was first formally described in 1848 by William Jackson Hooker in Icones Plantarum from specimens collected by James Drummond near the Swan River. [4] [5] The specific epithet (ciliata) means "fringed with fine hairs". [6]
Xanthosia ciliata grows in lateritic soils, sand or clay in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain bioregions of south-western Western Australia and is listed as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. [3]