Microlaena tasmanica

Microlaena tasmanica (Hook.f.) Hook. f. ex Benth. Fl. Austral. 7: 553 (1878).

Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Ehrhartoideae. Tribe Ehrharteae.

Basionym and/or Replacement Name:  Diplax tasmanica Hook. f., Fl. Tasman. 2: 105, t. 155 (1858).

Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: Hab. Recherche Bay, Gunn 1481.

Recent synonyms: M. tasmanica var. subalpina, Ehrharta tasmanica, E. tasmanica var. subalpina.

Key references (books and floras): [1878] G.Bentham, Flora Australiensis 7 (552), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia, [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (383 & M. tasmanica as var. tasmanica & var. subalpina).

Illustrations: [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (382, Fig. 52 as var. tasmanica).

Habit. Perennial. Culms erect, 6–100 cm tall. Ligule an eciliate membrane or a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane or a ciliate membrane, 4 mm long, membranous. Leaf-blades flat or involute, 6–20 cm long, 1–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

Inflorescence. Inflorescence compound, a panicle of racemes or a panicle. Panicle linear, 4–25 cm long.

Spikelets. Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile florets, comprising 2 basal sterile florets, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, laterally compressed, 6–20 mm long.

Glumes. Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong, chartaceous, without keels, 1 -nerved. Upper glume oblong, 2.5–4 mm long, chartaceous, without keels, 3 -nerved. Florets. Basal sterile florets 2 or more, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret 75 % of length of spikelet, coriaceous, 1-keeled, 7 -nerved, awned. Lemma of upper sterile floret 8–11 mm long, awned.

Fertile lemma 7–9 mm long, keeled, 7 -nerved. Palea 1 -nerved. Lodicules present. Anthers 2.

Continental Distribution: Australasia.

Australian Distribution: Tasmania.

Tasmania: West Coast, Central Highlands, South West.

Notes. Tasmanian endemic. In damp, often shaded situations in the Central Highlands, South West and West Coast of Tasmania.

Tasmanian endemic. In damp, often shaded situations.

Spikelets 15–20 mm long; awn of sterile lemmas 4–5 mm long        var. tasmanica

Spikelets 6–9 mm long; awn of sterile lemmas 1–4 mm long             var. subalpina

 

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