Nuytsia 7(2): 137-139(1990) 
137 
Patersonia spirafolia (Iridaceae), a new species from south-western Australia 
G.J. Keighery 
Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australian Wildlife Research Centre, 
P.O. Box 51, Wanneroo, Western Australia 6065 
Abstract 
Keighery, GJ. Patersonia spirafolia, (Iridaceae) a new species from south-western Australia. Nuytsia 7(2): 137-139 
(1990). Patersonia spirafolia G.J. Keighery is described and illustrated. 
Introduction 
Patersonia was studied for the "Flora of Australia” by Cooke (1986). However, at that time an 
apparently undescribed species, represented at PERTH by a single collection bearing old capsules, 
was not commented upon by Cooke. Since then I have been able to collect flowering material and 
ascertain that these populations indeed represent a distinct, undescribed species which is described 
below. 
Patersonia spirafolia G.J. Keighery, sp. nov. (Figure 1) 
Herba perennis caespes ad 40 cm latitudo formans. Folia torsiva, 5-20 cm longa, margine 
brunnea, pilis adpressis. Scapus glaber, 15-25 cm. longus. Spathae lanceolatae, 24-26 mm vel 
21-22 mm longa, brunnea, glabra. 
Typus: Unnamed hill, 30° 24’ S, 115° 21’ E, NW corner of Badgingarra National Park, Western 
Australia, 15 October 1988, G.J. Keighery 10409 (holo: PERTH; iso; CANB, K, MEL, NSW). 
Rootstock a spreading woody rhizome, forming a tussock to 40 cm across, producing 2-15 
slender, erect, leafy, woody stems to 30 cm, covered by leaf bases. Leaves linear, spirally twisted, 
50-200 x 3-5 mm, biconvex with minute grooves; margins brown, with silky, appressed hairs 
pointing to the middle; base brown, scarious, glabrous. Scape 150-250 x 1-2 mm, glabrous, 
reddish-green. Spathe lanceolate (longest 24-26 mm, shortest 21-22 mm), brown, glabrous; 
margins scarious, almost transparent. Involucre slightly gaping; inner bracts exposed, 7-9 mm 
wide. Flowers sessile, fugacious, each with a scarious bracteole, diurnal; floral tube filiform, 
