Thaumastochloa brassii C.E.Hubb. Hooker's Icon. Pl. t.3313–14:3(1936).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: HT: Brass 370, Jun 1923, Australia: Queensland: Burke Distr.: Settlement Cr., 18.00S 138.07E (K; IT: BRI).
Key references (books and floras): [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia.
Habit. Annual. Culms 7–35 cm tall, 10–16 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface or hairy. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades linear, flat or involute, 1–3 cm long, 3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence solid, a rame (spicate). Rhachis tough or fragile but the lowest internode fused to peduncle.
Spikelets. Spikelets sessile, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets pedicelled, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets represented by barren pedicels. Apical sterile spikelets rudimentary. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, the lower floret barren (rarely male), the upper fertile, comprising 1 basal sterile florets, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, oblong, dorsally compressed, 2–2.7 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong, indurate, keeled, 2-keeled, 7 -nerved. Upper glume elliptic, coriaceous, without keels. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret hyaline.
Fertile lemma without keel, 2 -nerved. Anthers 3.
Continental Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Northern Territory, Queensland.
Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf. Queensland: Burke, Cook, North Kennedy.
Notes. Wet sandy soils of savanna forest and heath of northern N.T. and Qld. Flowers Apr.--Oct.
