Trithuria bibracteata
Trithuria bibracteata is a species of aquatic plant in the family Hydatellaceae endemic to Western Australia.
Description
Vegetative characteristics
Trithuria bibracteata is a small, annual, aquatic herb with simple, linear, 5-20 mm long, and 0.4 mm wide leaves. The red plants are 1 cm wide, and max. 2 cm high. The short stem bears max. 2 mm long hairs.Generative characteristics
It is monoecious, and the reproductive units are bisexual. The reproductive units are sessile, or pedunculate. The reproductive unit consists of two lanceolate, 2-3 mm long, and 1.2 mm wide involucral bracts, 1-2 stamens, and 6-10 carpels. The dehiscent fruit bears 0.4-0.6 mm long, desiccation-tolerant, black to brown, ellipsoid to ovoid seeds, which require light to germinate. Flowering occurs from September to November.Distribution
It occurs in the Southwest region of the state Western Australia.Taxonomy
It was described in 1983 as Trithuria bibracteata Stapf ex D.A.Cooke by David Alan Cooke based on previous work by Otto Stapf. The type specimen was collected by R. D. Royce in Boyanup, Western Australia in 1947. It is placed in Trithuria sect. Trithuria.Etymology
The specific epithet bibracteata is derived from the prefix bi- meaning two, and -bracteata meaning "with bracts". The reproductive units have two bracts.Conservation
It is not threatened.Ecology
Habitat
It occurs in clay and mud along stream edges, ephemeral pools, and swamps.It inhabits winter-wet habitats, which dry in the Australian summer from December to February.
It can occur sympatrically with Trithuria occidentalis.