Stylidium spathulatum

Stylidium spathulatum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Stylidiaceae
Genus:	Stylidium
Subgenus:	Tolypangium
Section:	Saxifragoidea
Species:	S. spathulatum
Binomial name
Stylidium spathulatum R.Br. 1810

Ferdinand Bauer's sketch of the species

Stylidium spathulatum is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the genus Stylidium (family Stylidiaceae). The species is informally named the Creamy Triggerplant for the colour of its flowers.

The flowers are yellowish-white and appear between October and January. These are presented on a scape, 0.05 to 0.5 metres above the ground, which is glandular at the base and glabrous on the upper parts. The leaves are spathulate, or inversely lance-shaped, tufted and spread out just above ground level. It is found on dunes, granite outcrops, swamps and other moist areas, amongst Eucalypts, heathland or shrubs.

It is found in the Southwest Botanical Province of Western Australia.^[1] The species was first described by Robert Brown in his Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae of 1810, based on a collection he made in his visit to King George Sound in 1801. This was sketched and annotated for later colouring by the botanical illustrator Ferdinand Bauer, Brown's companion on the HMS Investigator.^[2] The lectotype's locality is noted as Princess Royal Harbour, King George Sound.^[3]

See also

• List of Stylidium species

References

1. ^ "Stylidium spathulatum". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia. http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/7799. 
2. ^ Pignatti-Wikus, Erika; Riedl-Dorn, Christa and Mabberley, David J.. "Ferdinand Bauer’s field drawings of endemic Western Australian plants made at King George Sound and Lucky Bay, December 1801 - January 1802.". Rend. Fis. Acc. Lincei s. 9, v. 11:69-109. Botanica. http://www.lincei.it/pubblicazioni/rendicontiFMN/rol/pdf/S2000-02-01.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-17. 
3. ^ "Stylidium spathulatum R.Br.". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=23205.