Dinebra ligulata (Lazarides) P.M.Peterson & N.Snow. Ann. Bot. 109: 1326 (2012).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia:
Queensland:
North Kennedy District: S of Charters Towers, ca. 20.26S 146.13E, 25 Apr. 1945,
Blake & Webb 15751 (HT: BRI; IT: CANB).
Recent synonyms: Leptochloa ligulata.
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, as Leptochloa.
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3
(Fig. 80),as Leptochloa..
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, stature robust to moderate, 60–120 cm tall. Mid-culm
nodes glabrous. Lateral branches simple or sparsely branched. Leaf-sheaths antrorsely
scabrous, glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane or a fringed
membrane, a ciliolate membrane, 3–5 mm long, lacerate. Leaf-blades flat, 14–35
cm long, 3–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous, glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle of racemes. Racemes numerous, 30–40,
ascending, 4–15 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 30–50 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (3–4), comprising 3–4 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, elliptic, laterally compressed, 2–2.5 mm long.
Glumes. Lower
glume lanceolate or ovate, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume
ovate, 0.9 mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume apex muticous
or mucronate.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 1–1.2 mm long, keeled, 3 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma
apex muticous or mucronate. Palea 2 -nerved. Grain 0.6 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland: Leichhardt, Mitchell,
North Kennedy, South Kennedy, Port Curtis.
Notes.
Diagnostic features include the subterete, scarcely compressed, plump grain and
broad, blunt upper glume. Also, the prominent, exserted ligule is the longest
among Australian species.
Endemic;
distributed in central eastern Qld. Occurring on heavy-textured soils in
gilgais and waterholes, often in association with brigalow (Acacia
harpophylla).
