Enneapogon intermedius N. T. Burbidge. Proc.
Linn. Soc. London 153: 67 (1941).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Pappophoreae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia, Alpha: Hubbard 7881 (K holo, BRI).
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 (333), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses
of New South Wales (241).
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3 (Fig
29F-J), [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South
Australia (333, Fig. 266), [2008]
S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales,
4th edn (240).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 30–70 cm tall. Mid-culm internodes glabrous or hirsute. Ligule
a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute, 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface
glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a panicle. Panicle linear or oblong, (3–)5–9(–13.5) cm
long, 1.5–2.5(–4) cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1 or more flowered, with 1 fertile
floret ((1-)2), comprising (1–)2 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at
the apex, oblong, laterally compressed, 4.5–6.6 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, membranous, without
keels, 7–16 -nerved. Lower glume surface indumented. Upper glume ovate,
4.5–6.6(–8.5) mm long, membranous, without keels, 7–11 -nerved. Upper glume
surface asperulous or scabrous, indumented. Upper glume apex entire or erose.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 2–3.6 mm long, without keel, 9 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented.
Lemma apex dentate or lobed, awned, 9 -awned. Median (principal) awn 3.6–6(–9)
mm long overall. Lateral lemma awns present. Lodicules present. Anthers 3.
Grain 1.3–2.2 mm long.
Continental Distribution:
Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia,
Queensland, New South Wales.
Western Australia:
Giles. Coolgardie. Northern Territory: Central Australia South. South
Australia: North-western, Lake Eyre, Gairdner-Torrens Basin, Flinders
Ranges, Eyre Peninsula. Queensland: Burnett, Darling Downs, Leichhardt,
Maranoa, Mitchell, North Kennedy, Port Curtis, South Kennedy, Warrego. New
South Wales: North-Western Plains, North Far Western Plains.
Notes.
A robust species distinguished by indurated, obscurely nerved, long-hairy
lemma, two fertile florets, and long, compact panicle.
Arid
and semiarid parts of all mainland states except Vic., rare in W.A. In dry,
usually sandy areas.
