Citation: Ewart, Proc. R. Soc. Vic. 28:219 (1916).

Synonymy: Xerotes sororia F. Muell. ex Benth., Fl. Aust. 7:100 (1878); L. caespitosa sensu J. Black, Fl. S. Aust. 189 (1943), non (Benth.) Ewart.

Common name: Small mat-rush.

Description:
Leaves 4-40 cm long, filiform, minutely scabrous, flexible, c. 1 mm broad, or stiffer, more openly channelled and 1.5-3 mm broad.

male flowers erect, sessile, solitary, or 2-4 close together, globular, in rather dense or slightly interrupted spikes, the whole forming a narrow panicle 2-5 cm long, the lower branches suberect, few-flowered, 5-15 mm long; bracts shorter than flowers or sometimes longer than the lower flowers, or the inflorescence reduced to a simple narrow spike 1-3 cm long; male perianth-segments free, the 3 outer ones thin, c. 2 mm long, purplish-brown, ovate-oblong, rather shorter than the 3 inner, which are almost orbicular, fleshy, bright-yellow; female flowers similar and sessile, but fewer per spike.

Capsule globular, smooth, 5-6 mm diam., subtended at the base by the perianth-segments.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NL, MU, SL, KI, SE.   Vic. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Oct. — Nov.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: On a specimen from Echunga (SL region) Lee noted (3/10/61) "This is the only specimen of L. caespitosa that I have seen from S. Australia and though rather depauperate, it does seem to be that species, agreeing with W. Australian specimens of L. caespitosa in its short, close, straw-coloured inflorescence, the non-membranous bracts, larger, less-serrate leaves, and firmer-textured perianth with no trace of purple (this texture sometimes seen in female flowers of L. sororia, but this is male)."

Author: Not yet available