''Xerolirion'' is a

monotypic In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unispec ...

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

of perennial herbs in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Asparagaceae Asparagaceae, known as the asparagus family, is a family of flowering plants, placed in the order Asparagales of the monocots. The family name is based on the edible garden asparagus, '' Asparagus officinalis''. Those who live in the temperate ...

, subfamily

Lomandroideae Lomandroideae is a subfamily of monocot flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, order Asparagales, according to the APG III system of 2009. The subfamily name is derived from the generic name of the type genus, ''Lomandra''. The group has ...

. The only known species is ''Xerolirion divaricata'', commonly known as Basil's asparagus, from

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to ...

. Both genus and species were first described by

Alex George Alexander or Alex George may refer to: * Alex George (botanist) (born 1939), Australian botanist *Alexander L. George (1920–2006), American political scientist *Alexander George (philosopher), American philosopher * Alex George (motorcyclist), Sc ...

in 1986.George, A.S. in George, A.S. (ed.) (1986), Appendix: Xerolirion. ''Flora of Australia'' 46: 229-230

References

Lomandroideae Monotypic Asparagaceae genera Asparagales of Australia Taxa named by Alex George Plants described in 1986 {{Australia-plant-stub