Trithuria lanterna is a 10mm tall and 30mm wide,[4] annual herb[5][6] with very short stems bearing fibrous roots and basal, linear,[5] 5–18mm long, and 0.8 wide leaves.[5][7] It often displays red colouration.[5]
Generative characteristics
It is a monoecious species with bisexual reproductive units ("flowers").[6] The several, sessile[5] reproductive units have 2–4[6] lanceolate, 2–3mm long involucral bracts,[5] 1–2 stamens with 0.6–1.0mm long anthers attached to[6] up to 1.5mm long filaments, as well as 6-20 carpels. The ovoid-trigonous, 0.4mm long, and 0.2mm wide fruit with three prominent ribs is indehiscent,[5] or at least in one case dehiscent.[6] The ovoid, 0.3mm long, translucent seed with a dark apex[5] is smooth.[5][6] Flowering occurs from April to June.[7][8]
Distribution
It is native to the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia.[3]
The specific epithet lanterna, from the Latin lanterna meaning lantern, refers to the morphology of the pericarp, which has a three-windowed structure resembling a lantern.[5]
Conservation
It is not threatened.[8] The Nature Conservation Act status is least concern.[1] Likewise, the IUCN conservation status is least concern (LC).[2]
↑ D.T. Liddle, I.D. Cowie, S.R. Hirst and B.M. Stuckey (2017). A field guide to plants of Darwin Sandsheet Heath. Report to Territory Natural Resource Management, Project NTRM00420. Top End Native Plant Society in collaboration with Northern Territory Herbarium, Northern Territory Government, Darwin.
1 2 3 Western Australian Herbarium & Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. (n.d.-c). Trithuria lanterna D.A.Cooke. Florabase—the Western Australian Flora. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/1140
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