Eragrostis triquetra M. Lazarides.
Aust. Syst. Bot. 10: 162 (1997).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia,
Queensland,
Cunnamulla: Martensz 1712 (CANB holo).
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. 63C, Fig. 68A-D).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, stature slender to delicate, 16–30 cm tall, 2–4 -noded.
Lateral branches simple or sparsely branched. Leaf-sheaths scaberulous. Ligule
a fringe of hairs, 0.3–0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades curved or curled or flexuous,
filiform, convolute, 1–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous, indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle elliptic, 6–10 cm long, 3–4.5 cm
wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets ((9-)22–31), comprising (9–)22–31 fertile floret(s), with diminished
florets at the apex, linear, laterally compressed or terete, 5–13.5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume lanceolate or ovate, membranous, without keels or keeled,
1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate or ovate, 1–1.3 mm long,
membranous, without keels or keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 1–1.8 mm long, keeled, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex muticous or
mucronate. Palea 2 -nerved. Anthers 2 or 3. Grain 0.3–0.6 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland:
Darling Downs, Maranoa, Mitchell, North
Kennedy.
Notes.
Distinguishing characters include filiform culms, leaves and spikelets; leaves
curly, with delicate hairs and thickened nerves; linear spikelets, with wavy
subpersistent rachilla; minute anthers, exserted subterminally, and trigonous
strongly curved, shiny, stipitate caryopsis.
Endemic;
distribution is from Ingham then inland from about Hughenden S to Cunnamulla,
Qld. In red, sandy and podsolic soils on undulating plains, on ridges and in
shallow depressions.; flowers Dec., Feb., Apr., June, and Aug.; fruits Dec.,
Feb., Apr., June, and Aug.
