Phalaris coerulescens* Desf. Fl. Atlant. 1: 56 (1798).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae.
Tribe Poeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: LT: Herb. Desf. s.n., Habitat in arvis
Algeriae (P). LT designated by Kerguélen, Lejeunia 75: ? (1975).
Key references
(books and floras): [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 (338), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia,
Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (150).
Illustrations:
[1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (24
& 25, Pl. 4 & 5), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley &
D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn (338).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 100–150 cm tall. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 5–25
cm long, 1.5–4 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a panicle. Panicle linear or elliptic, 3–11 cm long, 1–2.3
cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled, 1–2 in the cluster. Fertile spikelets 1 or more flowered,
with 1 fertile floret, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla
extension, obovate, 5.3–9 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic, chartaceous, keeled,
1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Upper glume elliptic, 4.3–9 mm long, chartaceous, keeled,
1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Upper glume surface glabrous or indumented. Florets.
Basal sterile florets 2 or more.
Fertile lemma 2.7–4.4
mm long, keeled, 5 -nerved. Palea 2 -nerved, without keels. Grain 2.8–3.3 mm
long.
Continental
Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, and
Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria.
Western Australia:
Dale. New South Wales: Northern Tablelands. Victoria: Volcanic
Plain.
