Eriachne schultziana F. Muell. Fragm. 8: 137 (1873).
Classification.
(GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Micrairoideae. Eriachneae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: LT: Schultz 183, Australia: Northern
Territory: Darwin and Gulf District: Port Darwin (MEL-95271; IT: BR, E, K). LT
designated by Lazarides, Astral. Syst. Bot. 8: 412 (1995).
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.
24E-F).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 67.5–150 cm tall. Mid-culm nodes bearded. Lateral branches
simple. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 7–37 cm long, 2–9 mm wide.
Leaf-blade surface smooth or scabrous, glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle oblong, 3–14 cm long, 1.5–6 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, both fertile, comprising 2
fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, ovate, laterally compressed, 7–9
mm long.
Glumes.
Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, membranous,
without keels, 7–11 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous or indumented. Lower
glume apex muticous or mucronate. Upper glume ovate, 6.5–13 mm long,
membranous, without keels, (7–)9–11 -nerved. Upper glume surface smooth or
scabrous or tuberculate, glabrous or indumented. Upper glume apex muticous or
mucronate.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 5–9 mm long, without keel, 7 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented.
Lemma apex awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 1–30 mm long overall. Palea
apex dentate. Grain 2–3.3 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory.
Northern Territory:
Darwin & Gulf.
Notes.
In E. schultziana, the lemma in upper 1/3 or less is usually glabrous,
but concealed by the long hairs arising from below. In this respect, the
species differs from the allied E. sulcata, in which the indumentum does
not extend above the lower 1/2–1/3. Also, E. schultziana is a coarser
plant, longer in its spikelet parts, and with the indumentum on its glumes
sometimes sparse or absent. There is a close resemblance with E. squarrosa,
but the indumentum on the glumes of this species is much denser and its lemma
lacks grooves. Also, the lemma in E. schultziana gradually tapers into
an awn, whereas in E. squarrosa (and also in E. stipacea), the
awn is attached appendage-like on the abruptly contracted apex of the lemma.
Endemic.
N.T. on islands and mainland N of 16ºS. Usually deep or shallow, sandy or loamy
soils on gentle slopes and plains, in association with sandstone, laterite,
granite or quartzite; often moist alluvial sites such as drainage lines, valley
floors, broad shallow depressions, and near swamps and watercourses; recorded
also from humic clays, rocky slopes of gorges and from outcrops. Flowers and
fruits Mar.-July (autumn to mid-winter), also Nov. (late-spring).
