Lomandra longifolia Labill.

Labillardiere, J.J.H. de (1805) Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen 1(12): 92. Type: in capite Van-Diemen.

Spiny-headed Mat-Rush

Strongly tufted perennial.

Leaves distichous, leaf sheath glossy dark reddish brown; leaves flat, 50-100 x 0.45-0.75 cm, glabrous; leaf blade with prominent venation; leaf margin thickened, entire to strongly serrulate, apices mostly with 3 teeth.

Inflorescence male or female; stem flattened; branches distichous, 8-15 cm long; scape distinct, flower clusters whorled; male inflorescence much shorter than the leaves. Cluster bracts rigid, 15-18 mm long. Flower bracts parchment-like. Flowers sessile, ellipsoidal to cylindrical. Sepals shiny, scarious, yellow to purplish. Petals boat-shaped, with a thick fleshy ridge on inside, longer than sepals, cream to yellow. Male flowers 3-3.5 mm long, female flowers 4-4.5 mm long.

Features not available.

Features not available.

Occurs in CYP, NEQ, CEQ and southwards as far as Tasmania. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 1000 m. Grows in rainforest, Eucalypt forest, various types of woodland, beach scrubland, heathland and wooded grassland.

Foodplant for the instar larvae of Skipper butterflies (Common & Waterhouse 1972).