Nardus stricta*

Nardus stricta* L. Sp. Pl. 53 (1753).

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

Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: LT: Anon., Europe (LINN-73.5). LT designated by Cope in Jarvis et al., Regnum Veg. 127: 69 (1993).

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 (11).

Illustrations: [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (100, Fig.14).

Habit. Perennial. Rhizomes present, short. Culms erect, 10–40(–60) cm tall, wiry, 1 -noded. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 1–2 mm long, membranous, truncate. Leaf-blades filiform, involute, 4–30 cm long, 0.5–1 mm wide.

Inflorescence. Inflorescence solid, a raceme. Racemes 1, linear, 3–8 cm long.

Spikelets. Spikelets sessile. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, dorsally compressed, 5–9 mm long.

Glumes. Lower glume ovate.

Florets. Fertile lemma 5–9 mm long, keeled, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 1–3 mm long overall. Palea 2 -nerved. Lodicules absent or vestigial. Anthers 3. Grain 3–4 mm long.

Continental Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Australasia, North America, and South America.

Australian Distribution: Tasmania.

Tasmania: West Coast.

Notes. Introduced from Europe into Tasmania, where it is uncommon in swampy areas on flood plains of the King River near Gormaston and south of Queenstown.

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