Amphibromus pithogastrus S.W.L.Jacobs
& Lapinpuro. Telopea 2: 724 (1986).
Classification.
(GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Poeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia: New South Wales: Norway, via Oberon, 26
Jan 1953, moist situation, near swamp, J. Vickery s.n. (NSW-149945).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses
of New South Wales (119), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia,
Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (133).
Illustrations:
[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 (119).
Derivation: Gk pithos,
large earthenware winw-jar; gaster, belly. At maturuty the lemma is
completely swollen.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 50–100 cm tall, 1–2 mm diam., 2–3 -noded. Mid-culm
nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 2–5 mm long,
acute. Leaf-blades flat or involute, 10–20 cm long, 1.5–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade
surface scaberulous, glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle 10–25 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (2–6), comprising 2–6 fertile floret(s), with a barren rachilla
extension or with diminished florets at the apex, oblong, laterally compressed,
8–15 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 3–5 -nerved. Upper glume elliptic, 4.7–7.3 mm long,
membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 5–7 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 5.6–7.5 mm long, without keel, 7 -nerved. Lemma apex dentate,
awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn dorsal, 9–16 mm long overall, with a
twisted column. Column 3–5 mm long. Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 1.6–2.1
mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: New South Wales, Victoria.
New South Wales:
Northern Tablelands, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South-Western
Slopes. Victoria: Eastern Highlands, Midlands, Volcanic Plain.
Notes.
Similar to A. neesii but differing in the dark-colourd veins, the longer
lemma lobes and the more swollen lemma.
Endemic. Grows in
seasonally swampy areas. Flowers in response to rain or flooding; Nov.
