Xyris gracilis, commonly known as slender yellow-eye,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Xyridaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a tufted herb with linear leaves with 5 to 8 flowering stems with bright yellow flowers.

Xyris gracilis
In Boonoo Boonoo National Park
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Xyridaceae
Genus: Xyris
Species:
X. gracilis
Binomial name
Xyris gracilis
Habit in Cathedral Rock National Park

Description edit

Xyris gracilis is a tufted herb with flat, linear leaves 60–29 cm (24–11 in) long and 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) wide with a sheathing base 14–60 mm (0.55–2.36 in) long and brown or reddish. There are usually 5 to 8 yellow inflorescences, each 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) on flowering stems 27–66 cm (11–26 in) long, each inflorescence with 6 to 14 bracts arranged in 3 to 5 whorls and the flowers opening one at a time. The style is 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long with branches 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) long. Flowering occurs in December and January.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy edit

Xyris gracilis was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[5][6] The specific epithet (gracilis) means "slender".[7]

Distribution and habitat edit

Slender yellow-eye grows in mosit or swampy areas, often in heath, and is widespread on the coast and ranges of New South Wales and southern Victoria.[2][3][4]

References edit

  1. ^ "Xyris gracilis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Conn, Barry J. "Xyris gracilis". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b Doust, Andrew N.L.; Conn, Barry J. "Xyris gracilis". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b Robinson, Les (1991). Field guide to the native plants of Sydney. Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 279. ISBN 0864171927.
  5. ^ "Xyris gracilis". APNI. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  6. ^ Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen. London. p. 256. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  7. ^ William T. Stearn (1992). Botanical Latin. History, grammar, syntax, terminology and vocabulary (4th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 421.