Arthragrostis aristispicula B.K.Simon. Austrobaileya 2 :238 (1986).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Paniceae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Almaden: Simon 5598 & Clarkson (BRI
holo, CANB).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Derivation: L. arista,
bristle; spica, thorn; -ula, diminutive. Lemma shortly awned.
Habit. Annual.
Culms 20–60 cm tall. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane, 0.3–0.5
mm long. Leaf-blades linear, 2–10 cm long, 1–5.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface
indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle elliptic, 5–25 cm long, 2–5 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, the lower floret barren
(rarely male), the upper fertile, comprising 1 basal sterile florets,
comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate or
ovate, dorsally compressed, 5.5–7.5 mm long. Rhachilla internodes elongated
between glumes and elongated below proximal fertile floret.
Glumes. Glumes
thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, membranous, without keels, 7
-nerved. Lower glume surface indumented. Lower glume apex mucronate. Upper
glume elliptic, 5.5–7 mm long, membranous, without keels, 9–11 -nerved. Upper
glume surface indumented. Upper glume apex awned. Florets. Basal sterile
florets 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret 100
% of length of spikelet, membranous, awned.
Fertile lemma 1.5 mm
long, without keel. Anthers 3.
Continental Distribution:
Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland:
Cook, North Kennedy.
Notes.
Northeastern Queensland.
Differs from
A. deschampsioides and A. clarksoniana by the upper glume and lower
lemma drawn out to an arista 2 mm or more long.
