Close-up photo of a staminate inflorescence against a black background. The inflorescence looks like a cone of overlapping scales with long, dangling stamens protruding out from between the scales.

Close-up photo of a pistillate inflorescence against a black background. The inflorescence looks like a cone of overlapping scales with fuzzy, two-armed stigmas protruding out from between the scales.

Ecdeiocolea monostachya is one of just three species of #Ecdeiocoleaceae of the Poales. All are Australian. Unlike Poaceae, this family lacks silica bodies in its tissues. Inflorescence reminds me of Xyris. Fantastic photos by Kevin Thiele CCBY4 via iNaturalist. #OddMonocot #Botany #PlantScience 🌾🧪