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branches. Strong dimorphism of much-branched non-flowering culm branches and 
elongated flowering branches is a pronounced and constant feature. Culm 
dimorphism has not been observed in L albipes (with culms all fertile, strait and 
unbranched below the inflorescence) and L. magna (all or most culms fertile and 
branched, with curled or sinuous laterals). Dimorphism in L. striata and L. cinerea 
ranges from not evident to pronounced (e.g. Fig. 2c). 
Selected specimens examined: Western Australia: Irwin: 5 km NW of junction of Brand Hwy and 
Coorow-Greenhead Rd, 19 May 1995, Corbyn 3500 3 , 2 (PERTH, NSW); Alexander Morrison Natl 
Park, Dec 1972, Passfield s.n. 6, 2 (PERTH); c. 25 km E of Brand Hwy on Green Head to Coorow 
road, Alexander Morrison Natl Park, 30 Sep 1984, Briggs 7742 & Johnson 2 (NSW, CANB, RSA); 
20 km E of Brand Hwy' on road to Coorow, 22 Apr 1989, Krauss 155 & Howitt 3 (NSW); 37 miles 
[60 km] W of Coorow, Sep 1967, Gittins 1696 2,1696b 3 (NSW); Reserve 27 miles [43 km] SW of 
Coorow, Feb 1967, Chapman s.n. 3 , 2 (NSW 101134); Brand Hwy, 11.6 km N of Jurien turn-off (near 
Tootbardi Farm), c. 28 km (direct) NNW of Badgingarra, 6 Sep 1990, Briggs 8584, Johnson, Meney, 
Pate & Linder 3 (NSW, BOL, CANB), 8585 2 (NSW, BOL). 
Onychosepalum Steud. 
Like the related genus Harperia, Onychosepalum was considered to be monotypic until 
recently, including only O. laxiflorum which occurs south of the Stirling Range. The 
discovery of O. microcarpum K.A. Meney & J.S. Pate (Meney, Pate & Dixon 1996) and 
recognition of the species now described attest the great increase in knowledge gained 
in recent decades of the flora of the region between Perth and Geraldton. 
Onychosepalum nodatum B.G. Briggs & L.A.S. Johnson, sp. nov. 
Ab O. laxiJJorutn combinatione characterum sequentium distinguitur: culmi 
plerumque nodo unico vaginaque parva instructi, vaginae basales pallidiores; 
mucrones bractearum glumarumque breviores. 
Type: Western Australia; Strathmore Road Reserve (No. 26248), S of Badgingarra 
(30°34'S 115°21’E), 5 Nov 1975, A. George 14196 $ (holo PERTH; iso NSW). 
Caespitose, forming small, many-culmed tussocks. Culms erect, 8-27 cm long, c. 0.5 mm 
diam., yellow-green. Basal sheaths glossy, tan-brown, appressed, 0.4-2.0 cm long, with 
a pale mucro to 2 mm long; culm sheath: a single hyaline to scarious sheath present on 
most culms, at or usually above the culm midpoint, appressed or slightly lax, 5-12 mm 
long, mucro c. 3 mm long. Spikelets terminating culms, subtending bract 2-5 mm long 
with a mucro 0.8-1.8 mm long; glumes green or pale brown. Male spikelets ovoid, 
becoming loose and spreading, 7-8 mm long, 4-5 mm wide; glumes c. 40, all fertile, 
scarious to hyaline, ovate, 3.0-4.0 mm long, glabrous, truncate or auriculate, mucro 
1-1.5 mm long. Female spikelets narrow ellipsoid, 7-9 mm long, c. 4 mm wide; glumes 
c. 12, several lower ones sterile, obovate, c. 4 mm long; apex auriculate, shortly pilose 
with white hairs, mucro c. 1.5 mm long. Male flowers: tepals 4, glabrous, hyaline, 
narrow spathulate, c. 3 mm long; 2 outer tepals keeled, inner tepals flat; anthers c. 1 mm 
long, exserted. Female flowers: tepals 0-3, similar to males, c. 2.5 mm long. Fruit not 
seen. (Fig. 3a-c.) 
The epithet is from the Latin nodus, a node, and -atus, provided with, referring to the 
presence of a node and sheath on the culms. 
Distribution: occurs in Western Australia at a few sites north and northwest of Cataby. 
Conservation status: vulnerable, CALM code Priority 3 (Meney, Pate, Dixon, Briggs, 
& Johnson 1999). Known from very few sites but poorly known, in an area subject to 
local mining but perhaps not yet affected by very extensive land clearance. The 
conservation status of this species needs further survey and monitoring. Lacking 
subterranean rhizomes, it would be killed by fire. 
