Hypolaena caespitosa B.G.Briggs & L.A.S.Johnson

Scientific Description

Rhizomes tufted, glabrous. Basal sheath glabrous, dull, striate. Culms terete, internal structure (at base of culm) solid, glabrous, striate, not marbled, not fasciculate. Culm 160-540 mm long. Sheaths (including blade) appressed throughout, dull, not striate, glabrous, margins not translucent. Apex elongated, glabrous. Dioecious (with separate male and female plants). Male and female inflorescences distinctly dissimilar, posture (male inflorescences only) Distinctly drooping, Culms unbranched below the inflorescence. Male spikelet 3-5.5 mm long. Subtending bract glabrous, Outer bract 2-2.4 mm long, margins thin and translucent, Apex acute. Perianth glabrous. 1.5-2 mm long. Inner bract glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acute. Inner bract 1.2-1.8 mm long. Filament 0.6-1.2 mm long. Anther 0.5-0.7 mm long. Female spikelet 7-11 mm long. Subtending bract glabrous, margins firm and opaque, Apex acute. Outer bract 8-11 mm long. Perianth glabrous. 7-9 mm long. Inner bracts 6-10 mm long, glabrous, margins firm and opaque, Apex acute or acuminate to attenuate. Style one, arising centrally from the ovary apex. 9-14 mm long. Fruit indehiscent (nut). Flowering Time August, September or October. Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregions Swan Coastal Plain, Jarrah Forest or Warren.