G.J. Keighery, Palersonia spirafolia 
139 
11-16 mm long, sparsely hairy at ovary summit, included in the bracts. Sepals free, rhomboid, 
spreading, 16-19 mm x 8-14 mm, blue-violet. Petals , erect, blue-violet, c. 1 mm long; apex acute. 
Stamens inserted at apex of floral tube; filaments 2-4 mm long, white, connate. Anthers connective 
triangular, basifixed, yellow; 7-8 mm long, dehiscing by slits. Style filiform, narrowed towards 
base, c. 10 mm long; stigmatic lobes 3, equal, flattened, free, papillose on upper surface. Ovary 
pubescent. Capsule ovoid-oblong, 1.5-3 cm long. Seed not seen. 
Other specimens examined. WESTERN AUSTRALIA: W of Ycrramullah Road on Cadda Road, 
30° 24’ S, 115° 20’ E, GJ. Keighery 10450 (PERTH); 6 km E of Munbinea Road on Cadda Road, 
30° 24’ S, 1 15° 18’ E, G.J. Keighery 10452 (PERTH); 5.5 km E of Munbinea Road on Bibby Road, 
30° 28’ S, 115° 18’ E, GJ. Keighery 10457 (PERTH); Badgingarra National Park, April 1984, 
GJ. Keighery s.n. (PERTH). 
Notes. Occurs on low hills in and around Badgingarra National Park, along the Gardner Range. 
Habitat. Grows in low, species-rich heath in sand over laterite. 
Flowering period. October to November. 
Discussion. Palersonia spirafolia belongs with those Western Australian species of Palersonia 
which form tussocks, comprising P. inaequalis and P. drummondii. It differs from P. inaequalis in 
having purple flowers and brown spalhes; it differs from P. drummondii in the short appressed hairs 
on the leaf margins and the shorter spathes, which arc brown when flowering occurs. 
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the spirally twisted leaves. 
Conservation status. The species has a restricted range, but is relatively common within 
Badgingarra National Park. 
Acknowledgements 
The Banksia Woodlands Survey Group of the Western Australian Wildflower Society 
rediscovered this species and stimulated the author to describe it. Bronwen Keighery assisted in 
relocating the type locality. 
Reference 
Cooke, D.A. (1986). Iridaceae. In George, A.S. (ed.) "Flora of Australia", vol. 46, pp. 1-66. (Australian Government 
Publishing Service: Canberra.) 
