Danthonia decumbens* (L.) DC. Fl. Fr. ed 3,3: 33 (1805).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Danthonioideae. Tribe Danthonieae.
Basionym and/or Replacement Name: Festuca decumbens L., Sp. Pl. 75 (1753).
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: LT: Anon., Europe (LINN-92.16). LT designated by Baeza P. in Cafferty et al., Taxon 49(2): 250 (2000).
Recent synonyms: Sieglingia decumbens.
Key references (books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Illustrations: [2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3 (Fig. 4, H-J).
Habit. Perennial. Culms erect or geniculately ascending, 10–45(–70) cm tall, 1–3 -noded. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat or involute, 5–25 cm long, 2–4 mm wide.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence compound, a panicle or a panicle. Panicle linear or oblong, 2–7 cm long.
Spikelets. Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile florets (4–6), comprising 4–6 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the apex, elliptic or oblong, laterally compressed, (6.5–)8–11(–13) mm long.
Glumes. Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate or ovate, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3–5 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate or ovate, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3–5 -nerved.
Florets. Fertile lemma 4–7 mm long, without keel, 7–9 -nerved. Lemma apex dentate, muticous or mucronate. Palea 2 -nerved. Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 2–2.1 mm long.
Continental Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Australasia, North America, and South America.
Australian Distribution: Victoria, Tasmania.
Victoria: Gippsland Plain, Wilsons Promontory. Tasmania: West Coast, South West.
Notes. Rare in Tasmania, introduced from Europe as a fodder grass. This species was widely introduced into temperate regions, but is rarely an aggressive invader.
