Lomandra tropica A.T.Lee

Asparagaceae

Lee, A.T. (1980) Telopea 2(1): 49. Type: WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Northern Province, Gardner: Welcome Creek [vicinity of Prince Regent R.], Bradshaw & Allen NSW 50574, 1891 (NSW).

Tussock perennial branching near ground level. Stem up to 10 cm long.

Leaves spreading. Leaf bases pale to rusty brown, narrowed upwards and lacerated. Leaves glaucous, 25-45 x 0.3-0.35 cm; apices without teeth

Male and female plants. Male inflorescence several branched with sessile flower clusters. Female inflorescence capitate, 10-15 mm diameter. Filaments very short with the anthers nearly sessile; style short and the stigma trifid. Flowers yellow becoming purplish.

Fruit a capsule 7-8 mm long with the lower part wrinkled. 3 Seeds per locule. Seeds obovoid.

Features not available.

Occurs in the northern end of WA and the NT. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 20 m. Grows in sandy to lateritic loamy soil in Allosyncarpia forest, Eucalypt woodland, open shrubland and wooded grassland.

Two subspecies have been recognised. The Flora of the Kimberley distinguished the subspecies based on leaf width, with subsp. tropica leaves 1-3.5 mm wide, and subsp. arnhemica leaves 0.3-1.3 mm wide.

Lomandra tropica subsp. arnhemica A.T.Lee, Telopea 2(1): 52(1980), Type: NORTHERN TERRITORY: Darwin & Gulf District: 113 km W. of Giddy R. crossing, 12°22 S, 136°42 E, Symon 7751, 6.1972 (NSW).