Rytidosperma nitens (D.I. Morris) H.P. Linder. Telopea 6: 614 (1996).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Danthonioideae. Tribe
Danthonieae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Danthonia
nitens D.I. Morris, Muelleria 7(2): 155–157, f. 7, 8a (1989).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: Fletcher s.n., 21 Jan 1979, Australia:
Tasmania: Dublin Forest Block (HO-30982).
Recent synonyms:
Danthonia nitens.
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3 (Fig.
12, E-F).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 12–25 cm tall, 3 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface or
hairy. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades flat or involute, 4–9
cm long, 1–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a panicle. Panicle linear, 0.9–3.5 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (4–6), comprising 4–6 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, cuneate, laterally compressed, 5.5–7.5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
without keels, 5–7 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 6.5–7.5 mm long,
membranous, without keels, 5(–7) -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 1.6–5.25 mm long, without keel, 7 -nerved. Lemma surface glabrous
or indumented. Lemma apex lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a
sinus, 2.1–5.25 mm long overall, with a straight or slightly twisted column or
with a twisted column. Column 1 mm long. Palea apex dentate. Lodicules present.
Anthers 3. Grain 1.1–1.5 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Tasmania.
Tasmania:
Central Highlands, East Coast.
Notes. R.
nitens is very close to R. nivicola, from which it can be separated
by the shiny lemma, the more slender culms which are often drooping, and the
occasionally expanded leaves.
Tasmanian
endemic, altitude 900–1200 m, stream bank flats, detritus in open woodland,
streambanks, roadsides and stony habitats, open windswept habitats. Flowers
Jan. or Feb.
