Etymology
Wurmbea name after Friedrick Wilhelm von Wurmb, merchant and botanist in 18th century Batavia (Jakarta).
Distribution and status
Known only from a small area on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, growing at base of granite outcrops and drainage lines. Also found in Western Australia. Native. Very rare in South Australia. Common in Western Australia.
Herbarium region: Eyre Peninsula
NRM region: Eyre Peninsula
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Small, slender herb to 8 cm tall. Leaves 3, well spaced, lowest one filiforrn, not or scarcely dilated at base, erect, to 10 cm long, middle leaf shorter, markedly dilated at base with a long filiform upper portion, upper leaf markedly dilated at base with a short acute or acuminate apex, attached well below inflorescence. Inflorescence a single white flower with white winged nectaries. Nectaries 2 per tepal, anthers dark purple. Flowering between July and August. Fruits are brown papery ovoid capsule to 0.8 mm long containing many seeds. Seeds are orange brown globular seed to 1.5 mm diameter. Seed embryo type is linear under-developed.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between August and October. Collect mature capsules, those turning pale straw colour and containing hard brown seeds. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for two weeks. Then rub the capsules gently by hand to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place.
| Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGA | 430 (0.42 g) | 40 | 26-Aug-2014 | DJD3003 Eyre Peninsula | 1-Jan-2016 | 100% | -18°C |
Number of plants: This is the number of plants from which the seeds were collected.
Collection location: The Herbarium of South Australia's region name.
% Viability: Percentage of filled healthy seeds determined by a cut test or x-ray.