Rytidosperma longifolium (R. Br.) Connor
& Edgar. New Zealand J. Bot. 17: 332 (1979).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Danthonioideae. Tribe
Danthonieae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Danthonia
longifolia R. Br., Prodr. 176 (1810).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: Brown 6231, Australia: New South Wales:
Port Jackson (BM(fragm. PERTH); IT: K).
Recent synonyms:
Danthonia longifolia, Notodanthonia longifolia (R. Br.) J.F. Veldkamp.
Key references
(books and floras): [1810]. R.Brown, Prodromus (176 as Danthonia
longifolia), [1878] G.Bentham, Flora Australiensis 7 (593 as Danthonia
longifolia), [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 (307).
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3 (Fig.
9), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New
South Wales, 4th edn (307).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 30–75 cm tall. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule a fringe of hairs.
Leaf-blades curled, filiform, involute, 15–35 cm long, 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade
surface glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a panicle. Panicle linear, 5–15 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (5–6), comprising 5–6 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, cuneate, laterally compressed, 7–12 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, scarious, without
keels, 5 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 10–11 mm long, scarious, without
keels, 5 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 1.4–3 mm long, without keel, 9 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented.
Lemma apex lobed, awned, 3 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a sinus, 7–11 mm
long overall, with a twisted column. Lateral lemma awns present. Lodicules
present. Anthers 3. Grain 1.1–1.3 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria.
Queensland:
Port Curtis, Burnett, Darling Downs, Moreton. New South Wales: North
Coast, Central Coast, South Coast, Northern Tablelands, Central Tablelands,
Southern Tablelands, North-Western Slopes, Central-Western Slopes,
North-Western Plains. Victoria: East Gippsland, Eastern Highlands,
Gippsland Plain, Midlands.
Notes. R.
longifolium appears to be rather constant in its morphology. This species
is very close to N. semiannulare, and several collections discussed
under the latter species appear to be intermediate between the two taxa. It is
not easily confused with any other species.
Altitude
200–1000 m (near Armidale on edge of scarp), along the east coast from southern
Queensland to the South Australian border, common in open woodland, in light
shade; often recorded from rocky places. Flowers Nov. to Dec.
