Lomandra rigida

First described by Jacques Labillardière in 1805, using specimens he obtained while voyaging along the Australian coast. The type specimen is noted as collected "in terrâ Van-Leuwin".[1] The species was assigned to genus Xerotes by Robert Brown in 1810, this combination is currently regarded as a synonym for the original description.[2]

A mat forming perennial plant, growing to a height between 0.1 to 0.3 metres.[3] They are a dioecious species, separated as male and female individuals, that present cream or yellow flowers around October to December.[3] The leaves terminate in a pair of spines.[4]

Endemic to sand on granitic outcrops at the coast of the eastern Esperance Plains and offshore islands at the Recherche Archipelago.[4][1] The dense and spiny mats formed by the plant provides habitat for other organisms and a deterrent to herbivores, the assemblage of plants may include Caladenia heberleana and Anthocercis vicosa subsp. caudata.[4]