Scrotochloa tararaensis (P. Jansen)
E.J.Judziewicz. Phytologia 56: 300 (1984).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pharoideae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Leptaspis
tararaensis Jansen, Reinwardtia 2(2): 304 (1953).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: IT: L.J. Brass 8587, Jan 1937, Papua New
Guinea: New Guinea I., Western Div. (US-1723653).
Key references
(books and floras): [1969] E.E.Henty, Manual Grasses New Guinea
(120 as Scrotochloa), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass,
Grasses of Australia, [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol
44A. Poaceae 2 (7).
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes present, short. Culms erect, 40–45 cm tall. Mid-culm
internodes hollow or solid, thin-walled. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate
membrane. Leaf-blades linear, 10–40 cm long, 4–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface
scabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle ovate, 4–10 cm long. Racemes 2–7,
spreading, straight, 4–8 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3–5 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled, 1 in the cluster. Male spikelets pedicelled, 1 in a
cluster. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without
rachilla extension, obovate, laterally compressed, 3–4 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, scarious, without
keels, 1 -nerved. Lower glume surface indumented. Upper glume ovate, 4 mm long,
scarious, without keels, 1 -nerved. Upper glume surface indumented. Florets.
Fertile florets female.
Fertile lemma 4 mm
long, without keel. Lemma surface indumented. Lodicules absent or vestigial.
Anthers 6.
Continental
Distribution: Tropical Asia and Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland:
Cook.
Notes. Known
only from 1 collection in northern Qld. Also rare in New Guinea. Flowers
recorded for Apr.