Trithuria occidentalis
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| Trithuria occidentalis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Hydatellaceae |
| Genus: | Trithuria |
| Section: | Trithuria sect. Trithuria |
| Species: | T. occidentalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Trithuria occidentalis | |
 | |
| Trithuria occidentalis is endemic to Western Australia[2] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Trithuria occidentalis is a species of plant in the family Hydatellaceae endemic to Western Australia.[2]
Vegetative characteristics
It is an annual,[3][1] 2-3 cm tall, aquatic herb with 2-3 cm long, and 1 mm wide, red, linear leaves.[4] The midveins of the leaves are prominent.[3]
Generative characteristics
It is a dioecious species with unisexual reproductive units. It exhibits sexual dimorphism in respect to the number of bracts present in the reproductive units ("flowers").[5] The male reproductive units consist of 3 mm long, erect stalks with 2 lanceolate, 7-8 mm long bracts, as well as 8-10 stamens. The stamens consist of linear, 3 mm long, faintly yellow anthers, and 1 cm long filaments.[3] The female plants produce smaller reproductive units[4] with 8–9(–12)[5] 1.5-2.2mm long bracts enclosing 8-10 carpels.[4] The dehiscent fruit[5] bears seeds, which are sculptured.[4][5]
Distribution
Taxonomy
Trithuria occidentalis Benth. was first described by George Bentham in 1878. Later synonyms include Juncella occidentalis (Benth.) Hieron. and Hydatella dioica D.A.Cooke.[2] The type specimen was collected by James Drummond[5][4][6] in Swan River, Western Australia.[5] It is placed in Trithuria sect. Trithuria.[7][8] The description of Hydatella dioica D.A.Cooke was based on a male individual of Trithuria occidentalis Benth.[5][9]