Rytidosperma acerosum (Vickery) Connor &
Edgar. New Zealand J. Bot. 17: 331 (1979).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Danthonioideae. Tribe
Danthonieae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Danthonia
acerosa Vickery, Contr. New South Wales Natl. Herb. 1: 296 (1950).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Western Australia: Woorooloo, Dec 1907, Koch
1826 (HT: NSW-2596; IT: K).
Recent synonyms:
Notodanthonia acerosa (Vickery) Veldkamp, Austrodanthonia acerosa
(Vickery) H.P.Linder.
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, [2002] J.Wheeler, N.Marchant & M.Lewington, Flora of the
South West (400).
Derivation: L. acer,
sharp; -osa, abundance. Lemmas terminating in a sharp point.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 30–70 cm tall, 4 -noded. Mid-culm nodes glabrous.
Leaf-sheaths scaberulous. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform,
involute, 5–15 cm long, 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a panicle. Panicle lanceolate, 3–8 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (3–7), comprising 3–7 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, cuneate, laterally compressed, 15–25 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma, shiny. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
without keels, 3–5 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 15–25 mm long, membranous,
without keels, 3–5 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 2.5–3.5 mm long, without keel, 9 -nerved. Lemma apex lobed,
awned, 3 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a sinus, 13–18 mm long overall,
with a twisted column. Column 6 mm long. Lateral lemma awns present. Lodicules
present. Anthers 3. Grain 1.5–1.7 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia.
Western Australia:
Drummond, Dale, Avon.
Notes.
W.A. from Perth to Fitzgerald, on sandy hills or plains. Flowers Oct.
