Eriachne gardneri Hartley. J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 52: 344 (1942).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Micrairoideae. Eriachneae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: Gardner 3053, 17 Aug 1932, Australia:
Western Australia: Eremaean Province, Ashburton River at Minderoo, 17 Aug 1932
(K; IT: PERTH).
Key references
(books and floras): [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1
Gramineae (49), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3 (Fig.
23H-I).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect or geniculately ascending, 30–70 cm tall, 4 -noded.
Mid-culm internodes glabrous. Mid-culm nodes bearded. Lateral branches
branched. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 1 mm long. Leaf-blades flat or convolute,
10–20 cm long, 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous, glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle or a panicle. Panicle oblong, 5–9 cm long,
1–3 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, both fertile, comprising 2
fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, ovate, laterally compressed,
7.5–10 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate or ovate,
cartilaginous, much thinner on margins, without keels, 11–15 -nerved. Lower
glume surface indumented. Lower glume apex muticous or mucronate. Upper glume
lanceolate or ovate, 7–10 mm long, cartilaginous, without keels, 11–15 -nerved.
Upper glume surface indumented. Upper glume apex muticous.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 7.5–10 mm long, without keel, 5–7 -nerved. Lemma surface
indumented. Lemma apex muticous. Palea 2 -nerved. Palea apex dentate, with
excurrent keel nerves. Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 3–5 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia.
Western Australia:
Fortescue, Ashburton.
Notes.
Endemic. W.A. and restricted in area. Seaward face of foredune and red sand
dune. Flowers and fruits Mar. and Aug. (early-autumn and late-winter).
