Austrostipa pilata (S.W.L.Jacobs &
J.Everett) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett. Telopea 6: 587 (1996).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Stipeae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Stipa pilata S.W.L.
Jacobs & J. Everett, Telopea 3(1): 92 (1986).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: South Australia: Murray: Monarto City Centre site,
lake site area, growing under mallee, 26 Nov 1974, D.E. Simon 9072 (HT:
NSW; IT: ADW).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South
Australia (74), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae
2 (46).
Illustrations:
[2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (75, fig.36), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora
of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (44, Fig 6).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 40–85 cm tall, 0.8–1 mm diam., firm, 2–3 -noded.
Mid-culm internodes pubescent. Mid-culm nodes glabrous or pubescent. Lateral
branches simple. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface or hairy. Ligule a fringed
membrane, a ciliolate membrane, 1–2 mm long, membranous, abaxially hairy, entire
or lacerate, truncate. Leaf-blades involute, 6–12 cm long, 0.8–6 mm wide.
Leaf-blade surface scabrous, indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle linear, 10–20 cm long, 2–3 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, linear, terete, 8–10 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
without keels, 3 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 7–9 mm long, membranous,
without keels, 3 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 4–5 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented.
Lemma apex entire, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 40–50 mm long
overall, with a twisted column. Column 7–11 mm long. Palea 2 -nerved, without
keels. Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 2.7–3 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: South Australia, Victoria.
South Australia:
Flinders Ranges, Northern Lofty, Murray. Victoria: Murray Mallee.
Notes. The pungent leaf
blades are notable.
Flinders Ranges, Northern Lofty
and Murray Regions of South Australia.
