Leptaspis banksii R. Br. Prodr. 211
(1810).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Pharoideae. Tribe Phareae.
Key references
(books and floras): [1810]. R.Brown, Prodromus (211), [1878]
G.Bentham, Flora Australiensis 7 (548), [1969] E.E.Henty, Manual
Grasses New Guinea (120), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass,
Grasses of Australia, [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley &
D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora
of Australia,
Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (6).
Illustrations:
[2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2
(8, Fig.1C-D).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 20–100 cm tall. Mid-culm internodes solid. Ligule a
fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane, 0.4–0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades
lanceolate, 9.5–39 cm long, 9–40 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle lanceolate, 14.5–30 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled, 1 in the cluster. Male spikelets pedicelled, 1 in a
cluster. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without
rachilla extension, orbicular, laterally compressed, 5–7 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, membranous, without
keels, 1–3 -nerved. Lower glume surface indumented. Upper glume ovate, 2–2.2 mm
long, membranous, without keels, 1–3 -nerved. Upper glume surface indumented. Florets.
Fertile florets female.
Fertile lemma 4–7 mm
long, without keel, 7 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma apex muticous.
Lodicules absent or vestigial. Anthers 6.
Continental
Distribution: Tropical Asia, Australasia,
and Pacific.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland: Cook, North Kennedy,
South Kennedy.
Notes.
In northern Qld. In rainforest or vine forests, dark sandy loam, dry creek
beds, red clay soil, granite. Flowers recorded for Jan.-Feb., May-July. Fruits
recorded in Nov.
