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Calectasia grandiflora
Calectasia grandiflora, commonly known as the blue tinsel lily, is a plant in the family Dasypogonaceae growing as a perennial herb endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It flowers in spring. DescriptionCalectasia grandiflora is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing to a height of about 60 cm (24 in). The stems have many side branches and bear leaves 5.2–16.5 x 0.4–1.2 mm. The six petals are blue but turn red as they age; the central anthers are yellow and do not change colour as they age, unlike those of some other Calectasia species.[1] Flowers appear from June to October (Winter and Spring) overall,[2] though earlier in Perth than in the wheatbelt and Stirling Ranges.[1] Taxonomy and namingCalectasia grandiflora is one of eleven species in the genus Calectasia. It was first described by Ludwig Preiss in Plantae Preissianae in 1846.[3] The specific epithet (grandiflorum) is from the Latin grandis = great and floris = flower referring to the flowers that are relatively large compared to those of the similar C. narragara.[1] It is commonly called the blue tinsel lily.[4] "Large-flowered tinsel lily" has been proposed as an alternate common name to distinguish it from other members of the genus.[1] Distribution and habitatBlue tinsel lily grows on sand, sandy clay, gravel, laterite and granite in swampy areas and on rock outcrops, flats, slopes and ridges.[5] It is endemic to the south-western corner of Western Australia, occurring in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren biogeographic regions.[2] Conservation statusCalectasia grandiflora is not threatened at present.[5] References
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