They have leathery, strap-like leaves which arise from the base of the plant, sometimes from underground rhizomes. Flowers usually occur in clusters (sometimes singly) on stalks which emerge from the bases of the leaves.[3] Individual flowers have a short stalk with six tepals which are either cream, yellow, orange or purple. The tepals join to form a short tube at the base with six similar stamens attached at the top of the tube.[4]
Taxonomy
The genus is the most speciose of the Haemodoraceae family, and one of six genera which only occur in the Southwest Australia bioregion; they are closely related to the well-known kangaroo paws, species of Anigozanthos and Macropidia.[5]Conostylis was described by Robert Brown, published in his Prodromus of Australian flora in 1810. No type species was provided by the author.[1] The genus name Conostylis is derived from Ancient Greek terms for 'cone' and 'column, style', a reference to the conical shape of the style's tip.[4]
Species list
The following is a list of Conostylis species accepted by the Australian Plant Census as of October 2023:[6]
^Hopper, Stephen; Wells, B. & B. (photography); Pieroni, M. (illustration) (1993). Kangaroo paws and catspaws; a natural history and field guide. Perth: CALM.
^"Conostylis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
