Aristida superpendens Domin. Biblioth.
Bot. 85: 339 (1915).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Aristidoideae. Aristideae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: K. Domin s.n., Feb 1910, Australia:
Queensland: Cook Dist.: in den Savannenwaldern bei Mareba (L (2 sheets; photo,
BRI); IT: BRI).
Recent synonyms:
Aristida hirta Domin.
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Derivation: L.
super, above; pendeo, hang. Spikelets pendulous in upper part of
spikelet.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 60–120 cm tall. Mid-culm internodes glabrous. Lateral
branches branched. Leaf-sheaths scaberulous or antrorsely scabrous, glabrous on
surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.3–0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades curled,
filiform or linear, flat or conduplicate or involute or convolute, 15–27 cm
long, 0.6–1.2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous or scabrous, indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle or a panicle. Panicle elliptic, 14–34 cm
long, 5–8 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 16–21 mm long.
Glumes.
Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous. Lower glume apex
awned. Upper glume lanceolate, 16–21 mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1
-nerved. Upper glume surface glabrous. Upper glume apex entire, awned.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 8–12.6 mm long, without keel, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex awned, 3
-awned. Median (principal) awn 46–133 mm long overall, with a twisted column.
Column 11–34 mm long. Lateral lemma awns present. Palea without keels. Anthers
3. Grain 5.6–7.2 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory, Queensland.
Northern Territory:
Darwin & Gulf. Queensland: Burke, Cook, North Kennedy.
Notes.
A. superpendens differs from A. dominii by its perennial habit,
its culms being 60 cm or more tall and by its larger spikelets.
A few records from the
"top end" of the Northern Territory, but most collections from
tropical north Queensland. Extends to Buru, Indonesia. Eucalyptus and Melaleuca
woodlands on granite sand and alluvial soils. Flowering and fruiting
January to August.
