''Lepidosperma leptostachyum'' is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family,

Cyperaceae The Cyperaceae are a family of graminoid (grass-like), monocotyledonous flowering plants known as sedges. The family is large, with some 5,500 known species described in about 90 genera, the largest being the "true sedges" genus ''Carex'' w ...

, a native of

Southwest Australia Southwest Australia is a biogeographic region in Western Australia. It includes the Mediterranean-climate area of southwestern Australia, which is home to a diverse and distinctive flora and fauna. The region is also known as the Southwest Aus ...

Taxonomy

The first description was given in an 1878 monograph by George Bentham, published in the '' Flora of Australia'' series. The diversity of the genus ''

Lepidosperma ''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 ...

'' has been the subject of frequent revision, and a variety of this species is recognised, ''Lepidosperma leptostachyum'' var. ''asperatum'' Kük. The name has been applied to populations later recognised as a new species, '' Lepidosperma apricola'' R.L. Barrett, in 2013.

Description

''Lepidosperma leptostachyum'' is herbaceous or grass-like in form, growing as clumps around 600 millimetres across. The height is an equivalent size or as low as 100 mm, the plant may be up to 1 metre in height. The brownish inflorescence appears from April to June.

Distribution and habitat

The species is found in the

region, in a variety of soil types. They occur on slopes, on black and grey sands, lateric and peaty soils, or clay, and on gravel. The conservation status of ''L. leptostachyum'' is noted at FloraBase as not threatened.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15549263 Plants described in 1805 Flora of Western Australia leptostachyum