Triodia lanata J. M.
Black. Trans. Roy.
Soc. South Australia
40: 57 (1916).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Triodeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia: Eyre Peninsula; in scrub at Minnipa, 11
Nov 1915, J.M. Black s.n. (HT: AD; IT: AD, MEL).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South
Australia (414).
Illustrations:
[2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (414, fig. 344).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 50–70 cm tall. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule a fringe of hairs.
Leaf-blades straight, aciculate, conduplicate, 5–16 cm long, 0.6–2 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle ovate, 6–17 cm long, 2–5(–8) cm
wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (5–7), comprising 5–7 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, lanceolate or ovate, laterally compressed, 8–19 mm long.
Glumes.
Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous
or chartaceous or scarious, without keels, 1–3(–5) -nerved. Lower glume surface
glabrous or indumented. Lower glume apex muticous or mucronate. Upper glume
lanceolate, 6.8–12 mm long, membranous or chartaceous or scarious, without
keels, 1–3(–5) -nerved. Upper glume surface indumented. Upper glume apex
entire, muticous or mucronate.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 6–9 mm long, without keel or keeled, 5–9 -nerved. Lemma surface
indumented. Lemma apex entire or lobed, muticous or mucronate. Median
(principal) awn from a sinus. Palea apex dentate. Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: South Australia.
South Australia:
Nullabor, Gairdner-Torrens Basin, Eyre Peninsula.
Notes.
Distinguished by its loose, few-spikeleted panicle; dense, woolly indumentum;
scarious or membranous glumes, lemmas and paleas; mostly hirsute lemmas with 2
very small lobes and minute or absent mucro in the sinus; usually glabrous
paleas with scabrous keels; densely scabrous, often hirsute glumes separated by
a distinct internode; loosely flowered spikelets; and pincushion habit.
In
S.A., between 30°S and 34°S, and 132°E and 136°E. Slopes and crests of sand
ridges and dunes, and on flats and swales; sandplains, roadside sand, white
sand, on granite outcrops; flowers Aug.-Nov.
