Amphibromus neesii Steud. Syn. Pl.
Glumac. 1: 328 (1854).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae.
Tribe Poeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: LT: Gunn 995, second sheet, left-hand specimen,
Van Diemen Land (K). LT designated by Jacobs & Lapinpuro, Telopea 2:
718 (1986).
Recent synonyms:
Helicotrichon neesii (Steudel) C.A.Stace.
Key references
(books and floras): [1878] G.Bentham, Flora Australiensis 7 (589),
[1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (36),
[2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia, [2006]
J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (197),
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales (118), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae
2 (131).
Illustrations:
[1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (31
& 35, Pl. 7 & 8), [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses
of South Australia (198, fig. 146),
[1984] N.T.Burbidge. rev. S.W.L.Jacobs, Australian Grasses (47), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley &
D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn (118), [2009].
A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (135, Fig.20),
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (118).
Derivation: in
honor of Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck (1766–1858) German
botanist.
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes absent or present, elongated. Culms erect, 80–150 cm tall,
1–2.5 mm diam., 2–4 -noded. Mid-culm nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths smooth or
scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 4.5–10 mm long, acute. Leaf-blades
flat or involute, 15–37 cm long, 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth to
scabrous, indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle 15–40 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (2–5(-6)), comprising 2–5(–6) fertile floret(s), with a barren rachilla
extension or with diminished florets at the apex, oblong, laterally compressed,
8–14(–17) mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous, much
thinner on margins, keeled, 1-keeled, 3–5 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate,
(4.6–)6.4–7.5(–8) mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 5–7 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 5.9–8.4(–9) mm long, without keel, 5–7 -nerved. Lemma apex entire
or dentate, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn dorsal, 13.8–25.5 mm long
overall, with a twisted column. Column 4.8–6.5 mm long. Lodicules present.
Anthers 3. Grain 2–3.5 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania.
South Australia:
South-eastern. New South Wales: Southern Tablelands, South-Western
Slopes. Victoria: East Gippsland, Eastern Highlands, Gippsland Plain,
Grampians, Midlands, Otway Plain, Otway Range, Riverina, Volcanic Plain,
Wannon, Wimmera. Tasmania: North East, West Coast, Midlands, East Coast.
Notes.
Previously often confused with A. nervosus.
Endemic. In SE
Australia. Grows on floodplains and banks of inland rivers, and in marshes and
lagoons, and flowers in response to rain or flooding. Flowers Oct.-Apr.
