Eragrostis alveiformis

Eragrostis alveiformis M. Lazarides. Austral. Syst. Bot. 10: 96 (1997).

Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.

Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information
: Australia:
Darling Downs Distr., Milmerran, 15 Mar 1931, C.E.
Hubbard 5854
(CANB; IT: BRI, K).

Recent synonyms:
E. molybdea.

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
(248).

Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3
(Fig. 70G-H), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses
of New South Wales
, 4th edn (248).

Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 34–115 cm tall, 2–3 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on
surface or hairy. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades flat or
involute or convolute, 12–25 cm long, 1–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface
scabrous, glabrous or indumented.

Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle ovate, 11–47 cm long, 7–17 cm wide.

Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (12–33), comprising 12–33 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at
the apex, lanceolate or ovate, laterally compressed, 6.5–15.5 mm long.

Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume linear or ovate, cartilaginous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1
-nerved. Upper glume lanceolate or ovate, 1.3–2.2 mm long, cartilaginous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved.

Florets.
Fertile lemma 2–2.6 mm long, keeled, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex muticous. Palea 2 -nerved. Anthers 3. Grain 0.8–1.2 mm
long.

Continental
Distribution
: Australasia.

Australian
Distribution
: Queensland, New South Wales.

Queensland:
Burnett, Darling Downs, Leichhardt, Maranoa, Mitchell, North Kennedy, Port
Curtis, South Kennedy, Warrego, Wide
Bay. New
South Wales
: North
Coast, Northern
Tablelands, Central Tablelands, North-Western Slopes, Central-Western Slopes,
North-Western Plains.

Notes.
Distinguished from E. leptostachya by its concave (not furrowed)
caryopsis, eglandular pedicels, thickened panicle branches, acute spikelets,
and larger dimensions of the plant, panicle and spikelets.

Endemic;
occurs throughout central southern Qld. and into E N.S.W. Chiefly on brown
clays and loams under eucalypt forest; also on sandy soils, stony ridges,
grassland plains and in railway enclosures.; flowers all seasons; fruits all seasons.


AVH 2011


                            


  

     

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith