Arthrostylis aphylla R.Br.

Brown, R. (1810) Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae : 229.

Perennial tufted to rhizomatous herb up to 50 cm tall. Stems compressed, about 1 mm wide, minutely hairy.

Basal leaves shorter than the stem-sheathing leaves, pale brown with soft indumentum; stem-sheathing leaves 1-2 per stem; uppermost leaf 75-160 mm long, densely hairy in basal half, whitish membranous in lower part; hairy at apex. Leaves triangular in cross section

Involucral bracts 2-3; basal bract about 4 mm long, sheath with broad membranous margins about 2 mm long. Inflorescence of up to 15 spikelets, 7-9 mm wide. Spikelets yellowish to brown, narrowly ovoid, about 4 x 1-1.5 mm, usually 2-flowered. Upper glumes distichous, +/- ovate, 3.5-5 mm long, keeled, ciliate. Style with triangular base; stigmatic branches very denselly white-hairy.

Nut pale brown, broadly obovoid, weakly trigonous, about 2 x 1.5 mm, smooth, with 3 prominent ribs, appearing three-angled.

Features not available.

Occurs in WA, NT, CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 1040 m. Grows in rainforest margins, microphyll vine forest, open forest, dune scrub, various types of woodland and on the edges of swampy areas.