Eragrostis superba* Peyr. Sitzung.
Akad. Wiss.
Math. Nat. (Wien) 38:
584 (1860).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: Wawra 244, Angola: Benguela (W).
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
(381).
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia
44B: Poaceae 3 (Fig. 65P-Q), [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst,
F.M.James, Grasses of South
Australia (381, fig. 315).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect or decumbent, 20–120 cm tall. Ligule a fringe of hairs.
Leaf-blades flat or involute, 10–40 cm long, 0.6 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle of racemes. Panicle lanceolate or ovate,
10–30 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (6–28(-47)), comprising 6–28(–47) fertile floret(s), with diminished
florets at the apex, elliptic or oblong or ovate or orbicular, laterally
compressed, 6–16(–23) mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume lanceolate, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume
lanceolate, 2–4 mm long, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 3–5 mm long, keeled, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex muticous. Palea 2 -nerved. Anthers 3. Grain 1–1.5 mm
long.
Continental
Distribution: Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia, Pacific,
and South America.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland,
Victoria.
Northern
Territory: Central Australia
South. South Australia:
Southern Lofty. Queensland:
Leichhardt. Victoria:
Riverina.
Notes.
A weed.
Distinguishing characters include spikelet
falling entire, broad relative to length; panicle spiciform, interrupted;
rachilla persistent; lemma partly indurated and flattened; palea 2-lobed, with
winged keels, the wings scaberulous, extending beyond basal margins of floret;
trigonous subacute caryopsis; curved ciliate ligule.
Introduced;
occurs at Reynella, S.A., and near Townsville, Emerald and Brisbane, Qld.;
native to Africa and Asia and cultivated in United States of America. Roadside
weed.; flowers Jan., Mar., May.
