Briggs and Johnson, Hopkinsiaceae and Lyginiaceae 
497 
c. 2 mm diam. Chromosome number 2 n = 12 (Johnson & Briggs 1981, voucher Gittins 
1614b; Bell & Pate 1993). (Fig. 5d-i). 
Distribution: widespread on oligotrophic soils in the southern half of Western 
Australia from the Murchison River to Israelite Bay, in sand or peaty sand in 
seasonally damp heath and woodland. Commonly in moister habitats than L. barbata. 
Regenerates after fire by resprouting. 
Conservation status: widespread and common. 
In addition to the variable features noted by Bell and Pate (1993), plants at the northern 
end of the geographic range (Murchison River and Kalbarri to just north of Eneabba) 
show notably slender and straight culms; male plants mostly with numerous (7-11) 
flowering spathes but females with few (1-2) spathes. Rather similar plants are found 
elsewhere in the distribution, but the uniformity in this northern region is notable. At 
Eneabba most plants are very different from those further north, having stout and 
highly sinuose culms (type R 2 of Bell & Pate 1993), often with crowded spathes in 6 
inflorescences. 
Selected specimens examined: Western Australia: Irwin: Murchison House Station, Gittins 1614a 
3, 1614b 9, Aug 1967 (NSW); 9 km ENE of Kalbarri, Krauss 140 & Hoivitt, 16 Apr 1989 9 (NSW, 
MEL, PERTH); 31 km NNW of Eneabba, Krauss 144 & Howitt, 22 Apr 1989 3 (NSW); 37 km SE of 
Kalbarri on Ajana road, Wilson 2666, 1 Oct 1979 3 (NSW, CANB, PERTH, RSA), 2665 9 (NSW, 
CANB, PERTH); 3.7 km from Baline on road to Binnu, Briggs S881 & Johnson, 13 Aug 1991 9 (NSW); 
11 km E of Dongara on Midlands Road, Briggs 7492 & Johnson, 30 Sep 1984 9 (NSW, CANB, MEL, 
PERTH); Eneabba, Bell, Sep 19913, 9 (KPBG); Eneabba, Haegi 1928 & Powell, 1 Sep 1979 (NSW, AD, 
CANB, K, PERTH, RSA). Darling: White Well Rd, 12 km due S of Ballidu, Briggs 9000a, 9000b 9, 
7 Oct 1992 3, (NSW, PERTH); Kewdale, Covcny 8199, 7 Sep 1976 3 (NSW, K, PERTH), 8198 9 
(NSW, BR1, CANB); Brook Rd, Wattle Grove, Covetty 8123, 6 Sep 1976 9 (NSW), 8149 3 (NSW); 
South Street, Gosnells, Bell & Pate, Sep 1991 3, 9 (KPBG); W of Yarloop, 3.9 km E of Old Coast 
Road on Johnsons Road, Hill 4597, 10 Oct 1993 9 (NSW); 2.4 km SSW of Paynedale along 
Goodwood Rd, c. 14 km SW of Donnybrook, Briggs 8308 & Johnson, 25 Oct 1988 9 (NSW); Scott R. 
Plains, junction of Cane Break Rd and Governor Broome Rd, Briggs 6506, 2 Oct 1976 3 (NSW). 
Avon: 10.5 km E of Cunderdin, Briggs 2000, 5 Sep 1966 3 (NSW); Avon, Pritzel 894 3, 895 9, Nov 
1901 (NSW, P); 30.6 km ESE of Pingelly, E side of Tutanning Reserve, Briggs 6655, 6 Oct 1976 9 
(NSW). Eyre: Oldfield R., 62 km E of Ravensthorpe, Wilson 2820, 13 Oct 1979 3 (NSW, PERTH); 
10 km WNW of Chillinup Pool, Newbey 4551a 3, 4551b 9, 29 Oct 1974 (PERTH, NSW); c. 9 km S 
of Israelite Bay, just W of Lake Daringdella, Green 5104, 21 Nov 1986 9 (PERTH). Roe: c. 30 km W 
of Mt Ragged, Wilson 2935,10 Sep 1964 3 (AD, NSW). 
Lyginia excelsa B.G. Briggs & L.A.S. Johnson, sp. nov. 
Herbae caespitosae; rhizomata haud producta; seminibus reproductio; vaginae basales 
18-40 an longae; culmi 50-150 cm longi; vaginae culmorum 20-40 cm longae; vaginae 
culmorum et spathae inflorescentiarum ciliatae, pilis 3-6 mm longis; spathae 
plantarum feminearum 1-3-floribus. 
Type: Western Australia: Brand Hwy N of Cataby, 0.2 km S of Mullering Road, B.G. 
Briggs 9319, 30 Sep 1995 9 (holo NSW; iso CANB, K, PERTH). 
Caespitose, forming large, dense tussocks to 30 cm across at base. Rhizomes short, 
vertical or steeply ascending, bearing closely crowded culms and dark brown slightly 
glossy scales. Culms erect, straight, 50-150 cm tall, 1-2.2 mm diam, smooth or 
minutely rugose, with 3-5 intemodes each 14-25 cm long. Sheaths at base of culms, 
5-20 mm long, ± flat in the upper half and not closely enwrapping the culms, with a 
mucro 1-2 mm long or a short awn to 4 mm long. Culm sheaths 20-30 mm long, green 
or brown, tapering gradually toward the apex, ciliate with stiff hairs 3-6 mm long, lax 
toward apex, with a curved black awn 8-10 mm long. Culm spathes acute, rigid, 7-9 
in male inflorescences, 4-7 in female inflorescences; each subtending a short, often 
