Lepidosperma squamatum

Lepidosperma squamatum is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family, Cyperaceae. It is native to Southwest Australia.[1] It was described by Jacques Labillardière in Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen (1805).[1] The specific epithet squamatum is derived from the Latin for 'scale', in reference to the form of the bracts.[2]

Lepidosperma squamatum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Lepidosperma
Species:
L. squamatum
Binomial name
Lepidosperma squamatum
Occurrence data from AVH

Description

Lepidosperma squamatum is herbaceous and grows 0.15–1 metre (0.49–3.28 ft) in height. It is a tufted perennial, also growing rhizomatously. Its brownish inflorescence appears between March and November.

Distribution and habitat

In Western Australia it is found along the high rainfall southwest coast to the east edge of the Esperance Plains and northern tip of the Geraldton Sandplains regions of the Southwest Australia botanic province. Lepidosperma squamatum occurs in dunes and swamps over gravel, sandy clay, or calceritic, lateritic or peaty sand.

L. squamatum, according to its conservation status, is not considered to be threatened.[1]

Ecology

The seed of the plant is favoured by red-eared firetails (Stagonopleura oculata), an endemic grass finch.[3]

References
  1. "Lepidosperma squamatum". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  2. "Lepidosperma squamatum". www.friendsofqueensparkbushland.org.au. Friends of Queens Park Bushland. citing Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharp. 1996.
  3. Storr, G. M. (1991). Birds of the South-west Division of Western Australia (PDF). Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement no. 35. Western Australian Museum. pp. 132–33. OCLC 24474223. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-09-28.
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