G .J. Keighery, Caesia viscida 
135 
Inflorescence short, 60-100 mm long, spreading, axis while, 10-15 mm enclosed in leaf sheaths, 
then green, branches 3-6, to 60 mm long. Lowest bract (below branches) leaflike, 60-80 mm long, 
viscid. Basal bracts on inflorescence branches linear-subulate, to 15 mm long, scarious, brown. 
Upper bracts on inflorescence branches in clusters of 1-3, subtending flowers, linear-ovate, 2-3 mm 
long, scarious; apex long pungent. Bracteoles scarious, linear ovate, 1 .5-2.0 mm long, 1-2 per 
flower. Peduncles 2-4 mm long, decurved, slender. Outer 3 perianth segments narrowly elliptic, 
4-6 mm long, brown-green outside, white inside; apex acute, thickened, brown. Inner 3 perianth 
segments narrowly elliptic, 4-6 mm long; apex obtuse, white. Staminal filaments flattened; outer 
whorl 2-2.5 mm long; inner whorl c. 1 .5 mm long. Anthers yellow, dehiscing introrsely by slits. 
Ovary green, angular, c. 1 mm long. Style white, c. 1.5 mm long, obscurely lobed. Capsule 
3-lobed, usually 1-2-celled by abortion, 4-5 mm long, green when mature. Seed c. 1.5 mm wide; 
testa very shiny, black; aril large, fleshy, white with a black margin. 
Distribution. Currently known only from the type locality. 
Habitat. Caesia viscida grows in Banksia speciosa shrubland on low dunes. The soils are deep 
aeolian sands, grey in the A horizon but white at depth. 
Flowering period. Plants at the type locality were in full flower in late November. 
Conservation status. The species is currently known only from the type locality which is within 
Cape Arid National Park. Similar vegetation also occurs in the adjacent Nuytsland Nature Reserve 
and nearby Cape Le Grande National Park. Searches of these areas may reveal further populations. 
Discussion 
The viscid leaves and abbreviated inflorescence (which presents the flowers almost at ground 
level) clearly separates this species from all other Caesia species. The dauciform, tuberous roots 
are also unique in Western Australian Caesia species. Caesia viscida shares the dense fibrous 
covering of the rhizome with Caesia rigidifolia F. Muell., and is probably most closely related to 
this species. 
Reference 
Henderson, R.J.F. (1987). Caesia R. Br. In George, A.S. (ed.) "Flora of Australia", vol. 45, pp. 281-288. (Australian 
Government Publishing Service: Canberra.) 
