Micraira dentata M. Lazarides. Brunonia 2: 76 (1979).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Micrairoideae. Micraireae.
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: Australia: Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf Distr.: ca. 10 km SSE of Mt. Brockman, 27 Feb 1973, Adams 3121 (HT: CANB).
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. 21J-K).
Habit. Perennial. Culms prostrate, 2–3 cm tall, 1–1.25 mm diam. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths smooth, glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringed membrane or a fringe of hairs, a ciliolate membrane, 0.2 mm long. Leaf-blades 1.1–2.5 cm long, 2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous, glabrous.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle oblong, 1.5 cm long, 0.5 cm wide.
Spikelets. Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, both fertile, comprising 2 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, oblong, laterally compressed, 1 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes similar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1–3 -nerved. Lower glume apex mucronate. Upper glume oblong, 1 mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1–3 -nerved. Upper glume apex dentate, mucronate.
Florets. Fertile lemma 0.5 mm long, keeled, 1 -nerved. Lemma apex muticous or mucronate. Palea 2 -nerved. Palea apex divided to base. Lodicules absent or vestigial. Anthers 2.
Continental Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Northern Territory.
Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf.
Notes. The truncate, dentate glumes is a distinctive feature in the genus. The pungent spine terminating the blades is a character shared only with M. pungens, but this species differs by its glandular panicles and 1–3-nerved lemmas, as well as by its 1-nerved differently shaped glumes.
Known only from two collections from the dissected sandstone plateau of Arnhem Land; grows on bare sandstone boulders, seepage flats, and in damp sand among boulders near seasonal creek. Flowers February, March.
