Micraira dunlopii M. Lazarides. Nuytsia 5: 291 (1984).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Micrairoideae. Micraireae.
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: Australia: Western Australia: Northern Province, Wonjarring Jarring Gorge, Carson Escarpment, c. 36 km E of new Theda homestead, 14.49S 126.49E, 27 Jul 1977, Telford 6174 (HT: CANB; IT: CBG, PERTH).
Key references (books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Habit. Perennial. Culms prostrate, 3–5 cm tall, 0.5 mm diam. Leaves cauline. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane, 0.1–0.2 mm long, abaxially glabrous or abaxially hairy. Leaf-blades flat or conduplicate, 6.5–9.5 cm long, 0.3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous, glabrous.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle ovate, 1–1.3 cm long, 1–1.3 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 or ovate, membranous, much thinner on margins, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Lower glume apex mucronate. Upper glume oblong or ovate, 1 mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume apex mucronate.
Florets. Fertile lemma 0.3–0.5 mm long, keeled, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex entire or dentate, muticous or mucronate. Palea 2 -nerved. Palea apex divided to base. Lodicules absent or vestigial. Anthers 2. Grain 0.2–0.5 mm long.
Continental Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory.
Western Australia: Gardner. Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf.
Notes. Micraira dunlopii closely resembles M. tenuis, but differs in habit, by its 3-nerved differently shaped lemma, shorter florets relative to the glumes, shiny smooth caryopsis, 3-nerved blades, and glandular usually smaller panicle.
Occurs in the Drysdale River National Park, W.A. and Fitzmaurice River area of the N.T.; grows on the steep walls of rocky gorges in crevices, moist, shady sites, under rock overhangs, and on rock ledges with seepage. Flowers - fruits March, July and August.
