Tecticornia lylei

Tecticornia lylei (Ewart & Jean White) K.A.Sheph. & Paul G.Wilson

Tecticornia lylei, commonly known as wiry glasswort, is a small shrub in the Chenopodiaceae family. It is found in saline clay soils around salt lakes in South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia. The shrub grows up to 1 m tall and 1.5 m wide, with slender cylindrical branchlets. It produces tiny flowers less than 3 mm in size, which fruit after pollination. The flowering period is from November to June. T. lylei is listed as endangered in New South Wales and rare in Victoria and South Australia, facing threats from trampling, overgrazing, vegetation clearing, and stochastic events.

Description

Tecticornia lylei is a shrub species native to saline clay soils in salt lake regions of South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia. It has an erect growth form with slender branches and branchlets measuring approximately 3 mm long and 2 mm wide. The plant flowers from November to June, producing small flowers under 3 mm in diameter. Its conservation status is endangered in New South Wales and rare in Victoria and South Australia. Threats to its survival include trampling, overgrazing, vegetation clearing, and unpredictable environmental events.