Lepidosperma tetraquetrum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lepidosperma tetraquetrum |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lepidosperma
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| Species: |
tetraquetrum
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Lepidosperma tetraquetrum is a type of sedge plant that belongs to the Cyperaceae family. It grows naturally in Southwest Australia.
Contents
About This Plant
This plant is a sedge, which is a grass-like plant. It has a special root system called a rhizome, which means it spreads underground. This helps it grow into a big clump.
The Lepidosperma tetraquetrum usually grows to be about two to three meters (6.5 to 10 feet) tall. It can also spread out to about two and a half meters (8 feet) wide. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It has brownish flowers, called an inflorescence, that appear between November and March.
Where It Grows
This sedge is found in Western Australia. It likes areas along the southern coast that get a lot of rain. You can see it east of Albany in the Esperance Plains and north of Perth on the Swan Coastal Plain.
Lepidosperma tetraquetrum prefers to grow in sandy soil that has black peat. It also needs to be near water that is always there, like a stream or a pond.
Discovery and Naming
The first scientific description of this plant was written by Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck. He published it in a book called Plantae Preissianae in 1846.
Is It Endangered?
Good news! Lepidosperma tetraquetrum is not considered to be a threatened plant. This means it is not in danger of disappearing.
Wildlife That Loves It
The seeds of this plant are a favorite food for red-eared firetails. These are small, colorful birds that are a type of grass finch. They live only in this area, making them endemic to Australia.
