Thaumastochloa monilifera M.S.M. Sosef &
R. de Koning. Gard. Bull. Sing. 36: 153 (1983).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: L.J. Brass 19712, 27 Jul 1948,
Australia: Queensland, Wenlock, Batavia river, 150 m (L).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Habit. Annual.
Culms 35–70 cm tall, 5–9 -noded. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule a fringed membrane,
a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades linear, flat, 4–11 cm long, 2–5 mm wide.
Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a rame (spicate). Rhachis 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, ovate, dorsally
compressed, 1.6–3.5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, 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, 0 -nerved. Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory, Queensland.
Northern Territory:
Darwin & Gulf. Queensland: Cook.
Notes. Dry
sandy banks of gullies and roads in savanna. From coastal NE N.T. and Cape York
Peninsular, Qld. Flowers Apr.--July.