Nuytsia 7(2): 133-135(1990) 
133 
Caesia viscida, a new species of Anthericaceae (Liliaceae s. lat.) 
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, G.J. Caesia viscida, a new species of Anlhericaceae (Liliaceae s. lat.) from south-western Australia. Nuytsia 
7(2): 133-135 (1990). Caesia viscida Keighery is described and illustrated. 
Introduction 
During the biological survey of Cape Arid, an unusual species of Caesia was located in Banksia 
speciosa shrublands. This species did not match any collections held in Perth, nor did it correspond 
to any described in the review by Henderson (1987). It is described here as a new species, Caesia 
viscida. 
Taxonomy 
Caesia viscida G.J. Keighery, sp. nov. (Figure 1) 
Planta caespitosa, radicibus tuberibus gracilis dauciformis. Foliis erectus cannaliculatus 
viscidus, 15-30 cm longus, laminois 5-6 mm lads. Inflorescenda brevis, 6-10 cm longis, effusus. 
Perianthum segmentum album internum, externum brunneolus pallidus. 
Typus: Tagon Bay Road, 33° 51’ S, 123° 00’ E, Cape Arid National Park, Western Australia, 
23 November 1988, G.J. Keighery & J.J. Alford 2010 (holo: PERTH; iso: MEL, K). 
Caespitose, perennial herb to 300 x 300 mm wide, from a shortly branched rhizome, with 6-20 
flowering shoots produced annually. Rhizome covered by dense brown fibres (breakdown products 
of the persistent leaf sheaths). Roots white, tuberous below rhizome to c. 5 mm diameter, becoming 
slender at depth, to 170 mm long, annually renewed. Leaves erect, glabrous, viscid; lamina 150-300 
x 5-6 mm, channelled, with 6-8 prominent veins; margin entire; apex acute to long pungent. 
