Loxocarya gigas B.G.Briggs & L.A.S.Johnson

Scientific Description

Rhizomes spreading, hairy. Basal sheath hairy, dull, striate. Culms terete or semi-flattened, internal structure (at base of culm) hollow, glabrous, striate, not marbled, not fasciculate. Culm 710-1640 mm long. Sheaths (including blade) appressed throughout, dull, striate, glabrous, margins not translucent. Apex finely pointed. Dioecious (with separate male and female plants). Male and female inflorescences distinctly dissimilar, posture (male inflorescences only) More or less erect, Culms unbranched below the inflorescence. Male spikelet 10-12 mm long. Subtending bract glabrous, Outer bract 5.5-6 mm long, margins thin and translucent, Apex acuminate to attenuate. Perianth glabrous. 2.5-3.2 mm long. Inner bract glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acuminate to attenuate. Inner bract 5-7.5 mm long. Filament 2-2.8 mm long. Anther 1.5-2 mm long. Female spikelet 30-50 mm long. Subtending bract hairy, margins thin and translucent, Apex acuminate to attenuate. Outer bract 25-36 mm long. Perianth glabrous. 15-35 mm long. Inner bracts 25-30 mm long, glabrous, margins thin and translucent, Apex acuminate to attenuate. Style one, arising centrally from the ovary apex. 19-27 mm long. Fruit capsule. Flowering Time February, April, May or December. Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregions Geraldton Sandplain or Swan Coastal Plain. Conservation Code Priority Two (P2).