Trithuria polybracteata is endemic to Western Australia
Trithuria polybracteata is a species of plant in the family Hydatellaceae endemic to Western Australia.
Description
Vegetative characteristics
It is an annual herb with linear, basal, up to 15 mm long, and 0.5 mm wide leaves.
Generative characteristics
It is a dioecious species with unisexual reproductive units ("flowers"). Female plants produce up to 20 reproductive units with 15–27 mm long peduncles, 12–25(–30) bracts, and many carpels with up to 1.5 mm long stigmatic hairs. Male plants produce reproductive units with 10–11 mm long peduncles, 5–9 bracts and 9–11 stamens. The anthers are 1.5–2.0 mm long. The 0.2–0.25 mm long fruits with a three-ribbed pericarp bear smooth seeds. Being dioecious, it is an obligate xenogamous species.
The specific epithet polybracteata, from poly- meaning "many", and -bracteata meaning "bearing bracts", means bearing many bracts. It has numerous bracts surrounding the reproductive units.
Conservation
Under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, it is classified as a Priority 1: Poorly-known species. It is only known from a single locality.
Ecology
It is known to occur in springs growing together with Utricularia. It has been speculated to show some degree of tolerance towards salinity.
12Western Australian Herbarium & Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. (n.d.-b). Trithuria polybracteata D.D.Sokoloff, M.V.Remizowa, T.Macfarlane & Rudall. Florabase—the Western Australian Flora. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/34396
↑Burnham, R. J. & University of Michigan. (2013, July 24). Amphicarpaea bracteata. CLIMBERS Censusing Lianas in Mesic Biomes of Eastern RegionS. Retrieved November 11, 2024, from https://climbers.lsa.umich.edu/amphicarpaea-bracteata/