Thysanotus cymosus
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 long about from the stock. There are about 2 or 3 linear, annual leaves up to long surrounded by the sheaths of old leaves. The flowers are borne in umbels of 4 to 6 flowers on a scape long, each flower on a pedicel about long. The flowers are purple, the perianth segments long. The sepals are linear, long. There are six stamens, the anthers of different lengths, and the style is about long. Flowering occurs in September and October.
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 south of Kulin in 1958. The specific epithet means 'cymose'.
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.
Conservation status
Thysanotus cymosus is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations, but is not under imminent threat.