Deschampsia gracillima T. Kirk. Journ.
Bot. 24: 237(1891).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae.
Tribe Poeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: LT: T. Kirk s.n., 12 Jan 1890, New Zealand: above Carnley Harbour,
Lord Auckland's Group (WELT-69440). LT designated by Edgar & Connor, Fl. New Zealand 5:
312 (2000).
Key references (books
and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia,
[2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2
(258).
Illustrations:
[2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australiia.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 5–20 cm tall. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule an eciliate
membrane. Leaf-blades filiform, convolute, 1–4 cm long, 0.5 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle ovate or pyramidal, 1–5 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (2–3), comprising 2–3 fertile floret(s), with a barren rachilla
extension, lanceolate, laterally compressed, 3–4 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, similar to fertile lemma in texture, shiny. Lower glume lanceolate,
membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1–3 -nerved. Upper glume elliptic, membranous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 2 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma apex dentate, muticous
or mucronate. Median (principal) awn
(mucro) subapical. Palea apex dentate. Lodicules present. Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia and Antarctica.
Australian
Distribution: Tasmania.
Tasmania: Central Highlands.
Notes. One of a group of
species unusual in Deschampsia with a very small, subapical awn or with
the awn absent.
Native. Maxwell Ridge
and Moonlight Ridge near Mt La Perouse, Tas. Also New Zealand.
