Triodia triaristata M. Lazarides.
Aust. Syst.
Bot. 10: 480
(1997).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Triodeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Northern Territory: Central Australia; Central Mt.
Stuart, 21º57', 133º27', 2 Jul 1974, P.K. Latz 5582 (HT: NT; IT: BRI).
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.
36C-F).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 30–100 cm tall. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Leaf-sheath auricles
absent. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.8 mm long. Leaf-blades straight or curved
or flexuous, filiform, conduplicate, 20–45 cm long, 0.8–1.2 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle oblong, 16–30 cm long, 2.5–5 cm
wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (7–17), comprising 7–17 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at
the apex, linear or lanceolate, laterally compressed or terete, 14–27 mm long.
Rhachilla internodes elongated between glumes.
Glumes.
Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong, scarious or
cartilaginous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous. Lower
glume apex mucronate or awned. Upper glume oblong, 5–13 mm long, scarious or
cartilaginous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Upper glume surface smooth or
asperulous, glabrous. Upper glume apex entire, mucronate or awned.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 4.5–5 mm long, without keel, 9 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented.
Lemma apex lobed, awned, 3 -awned. Median (principal) awn 3.5–5 mm long
overall. Lateral lemma awns present. Palea apex dentate. Lodicules present.
Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory, Queensland.
Northern Territory:
Central Australia North, Central Australia South. Queensland: Burke.
Notes.
Distinguished by the 3-lobed, 3-awned, hirsute lemma; hairy, bitextured palea;
and narrow, elongated spikelet.
The 3-awned lemmas are a unique feature in Triodia
s. str., approaching the structure which characterizes Plectrachne.
Between
21°S and 24°S and 131°E and 135°E, Central Australia. Sandstone and quartzite
hills; flowers recorded in Dec.-Feb., June, July, Sept. and Oct.
