Xyris bracteata R.Br. APNI* Synonyms: Xyris gracilis subsp. laxa O.D.Evans APNI*
Xyris operculata var. bracteata (R.Br.) Benth. APNI*
Description: Robust erect herbs with few to many scapes.
Leaves 100–310 mm long; basal sheath yellowish to reddish brown, 25–55 mm long; ligule more or less triangular; lamina yellowish green to green, flat, linear, 1.4–3.5 mm wide, margin thickened and papillate.
Inflorescence 7–10-flowered; basal sheath 80–150 mm long, appressed to scape for whole length of sheath or distally free; scape flattened to subterete, more or less twisted, 290–610 mm long, 0.8–1.4 mm wide. Bracts and flowers arranged in an ovoid to obovoid compact spike, 8–10 mm long, 5–6.5 mm diam.; sterile bracts 11–20; basal sterile bracts obovate, (3-)4.8–8 mm long, keeled, dorsal stomate field present; fertile bracts obovate, 5.6–7 mm long, dorsal stomate field yellowish to reddish brown. Staminodes Y-shaped, hairy. Stule branches 3, 3.5–5 mm long.
Capsule 3.6–4.5 mm long, 2.4–3 X 1.6–2 mm wide, distally more or less thickened. Seeds obloid to ellipsoid, 1.3–1.4 mm long; longitudinal ridges 12–18; transverse ridges 6–8.
Flowering: Throughout much of year, (Jul–)Sep-Feb(-May); flower open thoughout most of day.
Distribution and occurrence: Endemic to eastern New South Wales. Occurs in dry or wet heath or in open Eucaluptus woodland with heath understorey.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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