Phleum pratense subsp. pratense* L. Sp.
Pl. 59 (1753).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae.
Tribe Poeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: LT: Herb. Linn. no. 26 (Institut de France). LT
designated by Humphries in Jarvis et al., Regnum Veg. 127: 75 (1993).
Key references
(books and floras): [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1
Gramineae (146), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, [2002] J.Wheeler, N.Marchant & M.Lewington, Flora of the
South West (429), [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of
South Australia (244), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley &
D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales (339), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora
of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (244 as spp. pratense).
Illustrations:
[1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (148,
Pl. 44), [1984] N.T.Burbidge. rev. S.W.L.Jacobs, Australian Grasses (207), [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst,
F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (245, fig. 188 as subsp. pratense),
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (339), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A:
Poaceae 2 (213, Fig. 29; 241, Fig.34).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect or geniculately ascending, stature robust to moderate,
20–150 cm tall, 3–6 -noded. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule an eciliate membrane,
1–6 mm long. Leaf-blades 4–36 cm long, 3–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface
scabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a panicle. Panicle linear, (2–)6–15(–30) cm long, 0.6–2 cm
wide.
Spikelets. Spikelets
pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret(s),
without rachilla extension, oblong, laterally compressed, (2–)3.4–4.3(–5.5) mm
long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume oblong, membranous or coriaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3
-nerved. Lower glume apex awned. Upper glume oblong, 3–4.3 mm long, membranous
or coriaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Upper glume apex awned.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 1.4–2.3 mm long, without keel or keeled, 5–7 -nerved. Lemma
surface indumented. Lemma apex erose or dentate, mucronate. Lodicules present.
Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia,
Pacific, North America, South America, and Antarctica.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales,
Victoria, Tasmania.
Western Australia:
Eucla, Drummond, Warren. South Australia: Murray, Southern Lofty,
South-eastern. New South Wales: Central Coast, South Coast, Northern
Tablelands, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South-Western Slopes,
North-Western Plains. Victoria: East Gippsland, Eastern Highlands, Otway
Plain, Otway Range, Snowfields, Volcanic Plain. Tasmania: Central
Highlands, Midlands, East Coast.
Notes. Previously valuable
as a pasture and hay plant in cooler localities, planted as a soil stabiliser
on road verges and works areas at higher altitudes in Vic.
Description agrees with subsp. pratense
in Tutin (1980).
Introduced. Tas., N.S.W., Vic.,
W.A. and S.A. Native of the Mediterranean. Disturbed sites, usually at higher
altitudes. Flowers Jan.-Mar.
Description agrees with subsp. pratense
in Tutin (1980).
Introduced. Tas., N.S.W., Vic.,
W.A. and S.A. Native of the Mediterranean. Disturbed sites, usually at higher
altitudes. Flowers Jan.-Mar.