Aciphylla lyallii

Detailed description

Variable sparse-leaved tufted herb, simple to branched leaves. Leaves pinnate, up to approximately 30 cm long. Sheaths approximately 50 x 10 mm, with pale membranous margins; stipules approximately 20 mm x 2 mm, tapering to pungent apex; petioles keeled, up to about 100 mm long, lower internodes approximately 30 mm long. Primary pinnae 2 pairs, up to 100 mm x 3 mm, sometimes with short accessory pinnule; margins thickened, smooth. Rarely some specimens have simple leaves and sometimes leaves are exstipulate. Flowering stems of male plants slender to rather stout, up to approximately 40 cm long including narrow inflorescence up to 20 cm long. Bract-sheaths approximately 40mm x 15 mm, thin; stipules up to 15 mm long, linear, pungent; lamina with up to 3 pairs of pinnae up to 15 mm long, terminal leaflet up to 20 mm long. Umbels on slender peduncles up to approximately 30 mm long; umbellules several, up to approximately 10 mm diameter, on filiform unequal rays. Flowering stems of female plants grooved, up to 90 cm x 5 mm including inflorescence about 20 cm long, Bracts erect, concealing umbels; sheaths approximately 40 mm x 10 mm, rather thick; stipules approximately 10 x 2 mm, narrowed to pungent apex; lamina of 1-2 pinnae approximately 30 mm long, terminal leaflet slightly longer. Umbellules few. Fruit approximately 5 mm long; mericarps 5-winged; vittae 1-2 per furrow, 2-4 commissural.