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Discussion 
The nine taxa described in this paper represent part of tlie outcomes of an ongoing 
study into the Restionaceae and related families in Western Australia. All taxa represent 
new collections made during the study from botanically well known areas. These speaes 
are all restricted and most are threatened, adding to a current list of 20 priority, one 
endangered and one vulnerable threatened species of Western Australian Restionaceae 
(Department of Conservation and Land Management 1991, 1995). This represents one 
quarter of the family in this state, emphasising tlieir importance in conservation programs. 
Habitats of the new taxa range from permanently inundated wetlands {Leptocarpus 
crassives) and seasonally wet heathlands on perched water tables {Loxocarya magm) 
to species favouring dryland sites on sand or sand over laterite. Loxocarya magm 
only grows on ironstone formations in the extreme south west. The plant immunities 
on these formations are considered highly vulnerable and threatened (Gibson et al. 
1994) and in urgent need of reservation. Lepidaboliis spiralis is unusual m occurring 
only in sandy habitats over yellow sand subsoil. This habitat also supports a range 
of other geographically restricted taxa including Bracbyloma microphylla T. Bell and 
K.W. Dixon ined. and gen. nov. aff. Astroloma. 
Harperia ferruginipes, Lepidobolus basiflorus and Desmocladus glomeratus are restricted in 
distribuHon mostly as a result of extensive clearing for agriculture. The former two are 
not protected within current reserves and require consideration for protection. Loxocarya 
albipes is the most critical species for conservation, with only one known population of 
less than 100 plants restricted to a degraded roadside gravel reserve. Onychosepalum 
microcarpum and Hypolaena robusta extend over 150 krn and are possibly more 
widespread than currently known. Further survey is required. 
Acknowledgements 
The authors thank Ellen Hickman for providing species illustrations, Drs Barbara 
Briggs and Lawrie Johnson for authenticating new species and offering helpful 
suggestions, and Professors Sandro and Erika Pignatti for providing the Latin diagnoses. 
This paper is dedicated to Dr Lawrie Johnson on the occasion of his 70th birthday. 
His vision and enthusiasm for the Restionaceae have contributed rnuch to our 
understanding of this fascinating and misunderstood Gondwanan family. 
References 
Department of Conservation and Land Management (1991) Declared rare and priority flora list. 
CALM Report, Como, Western Australia. 
Department of Conservation and Land Management (1995) Report of the Scientific Ranking Panel. 
Unpublished report, Como, Western Australia. 
Johnson, L. A. S. and Briggs B. G. (1983) Restionaceae. Pp 371-373 in B.D. Morley and H.R Toelken 
(eds) Flowering Plants in Australia (Rigby; Adelaide, Australia). 
Gibson N, Keighery, B., Keighery, G., Burbidge, A. and Lyons, M. (1994) Floristic survey of the 
southern Swan Coastal Plain. Unpublished report for the Australian Heritage Commission 
prepared by the Department of Conser\'ation and Land Management and the Conservation 
Council of WA Inc. Perth, Western Australia. 
Pate JS., Rasins, E., Thumfort, P.P., McChesney, C.J. and Meney, K.A. (1995) Occurrence of the 
unusual amino compound S-methyl cysteine in Australian members of the Restionaceae: 
biological and taxonomic significance. Australian Journal of Botany 43: 73-84. 
Manuscript received 30 August 1995 
Manuscript accepted 11 April 1996 
