Austrostipa bigeniculata (Hughes)
S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett. Telopea 6: 584 (1996).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Stipeae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Stipa
bigeniculata Hughes, Bull. Misc.
Inform. Kew 1922: 20 (1922).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: R.T. Baker s.n., Jan 1887, Australia:
New South Wales: Cooma (K; IT: US-993695).
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 (151), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia,
Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (52).
Illustrations:
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (151), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A:
Poaceae 2 (37, Fig 5).
Derivation: L. bis,
twice; geniculata, kneed. Awn of lemma bent in two places.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 20–100 cm tall, 2–4 -noded. Mid-culm nodes pubescent.
Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate
membrane, 0.3–0.5 mm long, truncate. Leaf-blades filiform, involute or
convolute, 20–45 cm long, 1–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous, glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle or a panicle. Panicle linear, 10–45 cm long,
1–3 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 15–20 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
without keels, 3 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 9–15 mm long, membranous,
without keels, 5 -nerved. Upper glume surface indumented.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 7.3–10.5 mm long, without keel. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma
apex lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 30–60 mm long overall, with
a twisted column. Column 12–22(–26) mm long. Palea without keels. Lodicules
present. Anthers 3. Grain 3.5–4.5 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania.
New South Wales:
Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central-Western Slopes, South-Western
Slopes, North-Western Plains, South-Western Plains. Victoria: East
Gippsland, Midlands, Murray Mallee, Riverina, Volcanic Plain, Wannon, Wimmera. Tasmania:
East Coast.
Notes. Wooded areas of the
Central and Southern Tablelands and Slopes of New South Wales, and scattered
through Victoria and Tasmania.
