Burmannia sp. Bathurst Island  |  

Burmannia sp. Bathurst Island (R.Fensham 1021), family Burmanniaceae, formerly known as Burmannia sp. Melville Island (R.Fensham 1021), is a cryptic, herbaceous, leafless plant that grows up to 12 cm high (Kerrigan et al., 2007). It produces an annual, above ground
inflorescence which is usually only open for a short time, but which may last up to several
weeks in optimal conditions (Kerrigan et al., 2007). Most of the plant is translucent white,
except for the flower, which has a yellow corolla (Kerrigan et al., 2007). The plant has a small underground corm from which flowers are likely to emerge annually; however, the flower is only open for a short time (Kerrigan et al., 2007). The species is saprophytic, gaining its nourishment directly from dead or decaying organic matter.