Plinthanthesis urvillei Steud. Syn. Pl. Gram. 1: 14 (1854).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Danthonioideae. Tribe
Danthonieae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Montes coerulei N. Holl., Urville s.n..
Recent synonyms:
Danthonia vickeryae, D. urvillei.
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 (344).
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3 (Fig. 5,
G), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New
South Wales, 4th edn (344).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 30–80 cm tall, 2–3 -noded. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule a
fringe of hairs, 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades flexuous, filiform, convolute,
20–30 cm long, 0.5–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle ovate or pyramidal, 5–15 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (2–4), comprising 2–4 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension,
oblong, laterally compressed, 6–9 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume lanceolate, chartaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved.
Upper glume lanceolate, 6–9 mm long, chartaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved.
Upper glume surface smooth or asperulous.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 1.8–4 mm long, without keel, 9 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented.
Lemma apex lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a sinus, 3–4.5
mm long overall, with a straight or slightly twisted column. Column 1.2–1.6 mm
long. Palea 2 -nerved. Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 1.3–1.4 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: New South Wales.
New South Wales:
North Coast, Central Coast, Central Tablelands, North-Western Slopes.
Notes.
This species is geographically rather restricted, and consequently shows little
variation. P. urvillei can be immediately recognised in the genus by the
awns which are exserted from the glumes. This has led to the suggestion that
this species is intermediate to Rytidosperma.
Restricted
to the Blue Mountains and the region around Sydney in New South Wales. Flowers
Dec.
