About Stenanthera conostephioides Sond.
Stenanthera conostephioides is an erect or spreading shrub that usually reaches a height of 20 to 100 cm (7.9 to 39.4 in). Its leaves are thick, linear to lance-shaped, measuring 7 to 21 mm (0.28 to 0.83 in) long and 0.8 to 2 mm (0.031 to 0.079 in) wide, with a 1.1 to 1.5 mm (0.043 to 0.059 in) long pointed tip.
The flowers of this species are red. They grow singly, hang downward, and are tube-shaped, more or less cylindrical, between 6.3 and 15 mm (0.25 and 0.59 in) long. At the base of each flower, there are brownish bracts 0.5 to 10 mm (0.020 to 0.394 in) long and brownish bracteoles 6.3 to 15 mm (0.25 to 0.59 in) long. The sepals are also brownish, and measure 7.7 to 18 mm (0.30 to 0.71 in) long. The petal lobes are densely hairy on their inner surface near the tip. The anthers extend beyond the end of the petal tube, and the style is 10 to 19 mm (0.39 to 0.75 in) long.
The fruit is oval, around 9 to 11 mm (0.35 to 0.43 in) long. It is green with a maroon tinge when young, turning dark red as it matures. Flowering takes place from March to November. This species is commonly known as flame heath, and it grows in mallee scrub and open forest in sandy soil. It is a common species found in western Victoria and the southeast of South Australia. Ecologically, the flowers of Stenanthera conostephioides are an important part of the diet of emus.
