Eriocaulaceae

13 gen., mainly trop.

Eriocaulon L.

20 species native Aust.; all states and territories except Tas.

Eriocaulon scariosum Sm.

Tufted monoecious herb. Leaves linear, radical, 2–8 cm long, with broad sheathing bases; lamina flat, tapering gradually to the apex; margins entire. Flowers very small, crowded into a solitary terminal hoary head 6–8 mm diam. on a peduncle 5–50 cm long which exceeds the leaves. Flowers unisexual, concealed within imbricate usually scarious bracts; the outer rows mostly female; the inner ones males. Perianth segments membranous, up to 6, in 2 whorls. Stamens 6. Ovary 2–3-locular, superior. Fruit a capsule. Coast. Wet ground in the open