Proiphys infundibularis D.L.Jones & Dowe

Jones, D.L. & Dowe, J.L. (2001) Austrobaileya 6(1): 121-125. Type: Queensland. North Kennedy District: 22 km W of Townsville, lower slopes of Hervey Range, alt. c. 250 m, 2 Oct 1998, J. L. Dowe 521 (holo BRI; iso CANB, JCT, K, QRS).

Bulbous herb growing in loose colonies. Bulb ovoid, 3-6 x 4-6.5 cm.

Leaves 1-4 per bulb, erect; petiole 15-50 cm long and 4-9 mm wide, shiny bright green and with a prominent midvein; base shallowly cordate; apex acute to shortly acuminate.

Inflorescence an erect umbel; scape 35-90 cm long and 8-14 mm wide, fleshy; umbel 5-14 -flowered; involucral bracts 2, 10-35 x 4-7 mm, papyraceous, whitish; pedicels 15-25 mm long and ca. 1.5 mm diam., fleshy, pale green. Flowers infundibuliform, 4-5 x 4-4.5 cm, white and fragrant, each lasting about 2-4 days; perianth tube 20-25 mm long, nectariferous; lobes obovate to obovate-spathulate, 28-38 x 11-16 mm, obtusae to apiculate, obliquely erect, margins shortly imbricate. Corona 14-16 mm long, the expanded filaments fused for 8-11 mm with adjacent filaments; lobes linear and tapered upwards, 8-10 mm long, acuminate. Stamens 6 and protrudiing from the perianth; filaments 18-30 mm long, white; style protruding from the perianth, 50-55 mm long, white.

Capsule oblong to subovoid, 20-35 x 10-20 mm, greenish yellow.

Features not available

Occurs in the southern part of NEQ near Townsville, and CEQ where it is known from Conway National Park and near Mt Ossa. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 300 m. Grows in open Eucalypt forest, microphyll vine forest and deciduous vine thicket.

Plants produce leaves and flower in the wet season, and die back to dormant tubers during the dry season. Very ornamental plants.