Tussocks robust, up to 60 cm diam. Leaves ± flat, 10–50 cm long, up to 2 mm wide, glaucous, red-brown basally; basal sheath gradually tapering distally, torn, brown; apex tapering into 2 sharp points. Male and female inflorescences similar, much-branched, 3–15 cm long, up to c. one-third as long as the leaves; axes smooth; non-flowering axis exposed for 1–2.5 cm; flower-bearing axis (2–)4.5–10 cm long. Bracts often longer than the pedicel, pale brown to translucent. Flowers usually strongly scented, funnel-shaped; male flowers with perianth narrow; female flowers with perianth broad basally and thick. Flowers (May–)Jun.–Oct.
LoM, MuM, Wim, VVP, VRiv, RobP, MuF, OtP, Gold, GGr, DunT, NIS. Also WA, SA, NSW. Occurs in sandy soils, frequently in mallee communities, occasionally in heavier soils in Eucalyptus largiflorens woodlands.
Disjunct localities of L. effusa (e.g. Portland, Bacchus Marsh) may indicate a former, more widespread distribution of the species in Victoria.
Source:
Conn, B.J. (1994). Xanthorrhoeaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 720–734. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
