Triodia latzii M.
Lazarides. Austral. Syst. Bot.
10: 444 (1997).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Triodeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Northern Territory: Victoria River District; Lat.
19º22' S, Long. 129º01' E, Jellbra Rockhole, 3.iv.81, P.K. Latz 8629
(HT: NT).
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.
36K-O).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 40–130 cm tall. Leaf-sheaths smooth, glabrous on surface.
Leaf-sheath auricles absent. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades
flexuous, flat or conduplicate, 30–40(–60) cm long, 1.3–3.3 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle of racemes. Panicle linear, dense, 30–40 cm
long, 2–5 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (9), comprising 9 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, linear, laterally compressed or terete, 10–13 mm long. Rhachilla
internodes elongated between glumes.
Glumes.
Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate,
cartilaginous, much thinner on margins, keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Lower
glume surface glabrous. Lower glume apex muticous. Upper glume lanceolate, 4–5
mm long, cartilaginous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Upper glume surface smooth
or asperulous, glabrous. Upper glume apex entire, muticous.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 5–6.5 mm long, without keel, 3 -nerved. Lemma surface glabrous or
indumented. Lemma apex lobed, muticous. Palea apex entire. Lodicules present.
Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory.
Northern Territory:
Darwin & Gulf, Victoria River.
Notes.
Distinguishing characters include the terete, linear, closely flowered
spikelets; bitextured, mostly indurated lemma and palea; relatively long,
equal, acuminate lemma lobes; glabrous palea long relative to its lemma;
elongated, dense, racmose panicle; long, resinous leaves. T. latzii has
similarities with T. microstachya R.Br., but differs in the dimensions,
morphology, indumentum and shape of its spikelets.
N of 19°S, N.T. On rocky hills in association with
quartzite, conglomerate, sandstone, laterite and limestone, in gravel, sand,
rock fissures and among boulders; flowers probably Dec.-Apr., persisting until
June.
