Hierochloë fraseri

Hierochloë fraseri Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. 1: 93 (1845).

Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Poeae.

Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information
: Tasmania,.

Key references
(books and floras):
[2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia
,
[2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2
(142).

Illustrations:
[2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2
(148, Fig.22).

Habit. Culms
stature slender to delicate, 11–50 cm tall, 2–3 -noded. Lateral branches
simple. Ligule an eciliate membrane, obtuse or acute. Leaf-blades 2.2–13.5 cm
long, 1.5–8 mm wide.

Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle 3.5–10.5 cm long.

Spikelets.
Fertile spikelets 1 or more flowered, with 1 fertile floret, comprising 2 basal
sterile florets, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), oblong, 3.4–4.7 mm long.

Glumes. Lower
glume ovate, keeled, 1-keeled, 1(–3) -nerved. Upper glume ovate, 2.9–4.05 mm
long, keeled, 1-keeled. Florets. Basal sterile florets 2 or more,
barren. Lemma of lower sterile floret awned. Lemma of upper sterile floret
dentate, awned.

Fertile lemma 2.5–3.4
mm long, 5 -nerved. Lemma apex muticous or awned.

Continental
Distribution
: Australasia.

Australian
Distribution
: Tasmania.

Tasmania:
West Coast, Central Highlands, Ben Lomond,
South West, Mt Wellington.

Notes.
Endemic and restricted to Tas. Common in herb and grassfields, heath, shaded
sites among boulders, cliff ledges, stream banks, above 950 m altitude. Flowers
Jan.-Mar.

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