Triglochin trichophora
NeesSlender annual herb, 1.5–13 cm high. Leaves flat and thread-like, 1–8 cm long, shorter than to almost as long as infructescence. Scape at fruiting erect, ascending or spreading, 0.4–11.0 cm long, infructescence 0.6–3.6(–6.0) cm long, with (1–)4–49 fruits. Fruits broadly ovoid or ellipsoid, often taped at apex and contracted at base, (1.3–)1.5–3.2 mm long, 0.6–1.8 mm wide above just above base; subsessile or pedicel up to 6 mm long; carpels 6, 3 fertile carpels alternating with 3 undeveloped sterile ones; fertile carpels keeled or strongly convex dorsally when dry, at base with 2 lateral spurs or points c. 0.02 mm long, usually with 2 deflexed spurs connected by a membrane between the lateral spurs. Fruits July–Dec.
Wim. Also WA, SA. Typically a coastal or near coastal species of sands and calcareous soils. However, in Victoria this species grows further inland near Horsham.
This species has previously been overlooked in Victoria, where it is currently known from two collections. It closely resembles and has been confused with Triglochin nana, from which T. trichophora is distinguished by its rounder fruits and the presence of two minute downward pointing spurs between the lateral ones. Triglochin trichophora is widespread in coastal regions of South Australia, and it is possible that other populations of this species occur in western Victoria.
