About Maireana triptera (Benth.) Paul G.Wilson
Maireana triptera is a glaucous, perennial glabrous shrub, with the only exception of soft hairs present in its leaf axils. It usually grows up to 50 cm (20 in) tall. Its leaves are densely arranged, alternate, fleshy, slender and semiterete. They measure around 10 mm (0.39 in) long and have a pointed tip. This species produces bisexual flowers that are borne singly. The fruiting perianth is glabrous, glossy dark brown to black when dry. It has a top-shaped, crusty tube, with five papery vertical wings that run the full length of the tube. These vertical wings are fused with a horizontal wing that is around 8 mm (0.31 in) in diameter. Maireana triptera is widespread across mainland Australia. It usually grows in sandy soils, very often in mallee vegetation. It can be found in north-western Queensland, central and western New South Wales, north-western Victoria, South Australia, central Western Australia, and areas of the Northern Territory that lie south from Marble Bar.
