''Lepidosperma avium'', commonly named the central Australian rapier-sedge and the desert rush, is a rare species of sedge found in the Everard Ranges of remote northern South Australia and neighbouring parts of the Northern Territory.

Taxonomy

''Lepidosperma avium'' was first scientifically described by Karen L. Wilson in 1994, from the Everard Ranges, which the species is believed to be endemic to. ''L. avium'' shares the feature of having little, spiky branches and flattened flower clusters with several other species in the same genus: ''

Lepidosperma clipeicola ''Lepidosperma'' is a genus of flowering plant of the family Cyperaceae. Most of the species are endemic to Australia, with others native to southern China, southeast Asia, New Guinea, New Caledonia and New Zealand. Species Species include: Abb ...

'', ''

Lepidosperma pauperum ''Lepidosperma'' is a genus of flowering plant of the family Cyperaceae. Most of the species are endemic to Australia, with others native to southern China, southeast Asia, New Guinea, New Caledonia and New Zealand. Species Species include: ...

'' (from

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

), ''

Lepidosperma perteres ''Lepidosperma'' is a genus of flowering plant of the family Cyperaceae. Most of the species are endemic to Australia, with others native to southern China, southeast Asia, New Guinea, New Caledonia and New Zealand. Species Species include: Abb ...

'', and ''

Lepidosperma urophorum ''Lepidosperma urophorum'', the rapier saw sedge is a forest dwelling plant found in south eastern Australia. Often found on sandy soils near streams. It may grow to 1.5 metres high. The specific epithet ''urophorum'' is derived from the Greek ...

''. The species epithet refers to the species' remoteness – ''avium'', comes from the Latin ''avius'', meaning isolated or out of the way. Specimens of the species are held in each of Australia's state

herbarium A herbarium (plural: herbaria) is a collection of preserved plant specimens and associated data used for scientific study. The specimens may be whole plants or plant parts; these will usually be in dried form mounted on a sheet of paper (called ...

s, as well as in the Australian National Herbarium.

Description

''Lepidosperma avium'' forms clumps, between tall. The stems are stiff, hairless, and smooth, less than a centimetre thick, with small lines and grooves all over the surface.

Ecology

''L. avium'' occupies a "petrophilous(rock-loving)" ecological niche. The sedges grow around rocky hills and boulders. The main threats to the species are bushfires.

References

{{taxonbar, from=Q15549019 avium Flora of South Australia