PARACTAENUM
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Paractaenum P. Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 47 (1812); from the Greek para (resembling) and ktenion (a little comb), alluding to comblike racemes.
Type: P. novae-hollandiae P.Beauv.
Plants annual, caespitose or decumbent with the lowest internodes commonly horizontal, sparingly branched. Leaves; ligule a fringed membrane; leaf blades linear, smooth or scabrous. Inflorescence a panicle of racemes reflexed at maturity, with racemes terminating in a bristle; bristles simple, rigid and spine-like, each subtending one spikelet. Spikelets lanceolate to oblong. Glumes muticous; lower glume membranous, smooth, glabrous; upper glume membranous, glabrous, acute to rounded. Lower floret sterile; lemma lanceolate to oblong, membranous, with nerves distinct and smooth, glabrous, with apex acute to rounded, muticous; palea vestigial. Upper floret bisexual; lemma indurate, muricate or finely transversely rugose, oblong to lanceolate, rounded on the back, obscurely nerved, glabrous, apically rounded or acute; palea indurate.
A monospecific endemic genus in northern and central Australia. A derivative of Paspalidium with deciduous racemes (Clayton & Renvoize, 1986).
D.K.Hughes, Paractaenum novae-hollandiae, Bull. Misc. Inf. Kew 1923: 287–289 (1923); J.W.Vickery Paractaenum in Flora of New South Wales, 19 Gramineae 2: 223–224 (1975); R.D.Webster, Paractaenum, Austral. Paniceae 146–149 (1987).
1. Paractaenum novae-hollandiae P. Beauv., Ess. Agrostogr. 47, 171, t. 10, fig. 6 (1812), emend. D.K.Hughes, Bull. Misc. Inf. Kew 1923: 287–289 (1923)
Panicum novae-hollandiae (P.Beauv.) Desv., Opusc. Sci. Phys. Nat. 1: 187 (1831); Panicum paractaenum Kunth, Révis Gramin. 41 (1829), nom. illeg. T: Iles steriles [Shark Bay, W.A.], 1802, Leschenault s.n.; holo: P, n.v.; iso: BM (photo BRI).
Flowering culms 2–4-noded. Glumes; lower glume obtuse; upper glume lanceolate to oblong, rounded. Lower floret; lemma lanceolate to oblong, with apex acute to rounded. Upper floret; lemma lanceolate; palea subequal to the lemma.
Arid regions of all mainland States excluding Vic. Xerophytic. There are two varieties.
Spikelets to 3.7 mm long, 0.9–1.1 mm wide P. novae‑hollandiae subsp. novae‑hollandiae
Spikelets more than 3.9 mm long, 1.2–1.4 mm wide P. novae‑hollandiae subsp. reversum
1a. Paractaenum novae-hollandiae subsp. novae-hollandiae
Illustrations: D.K.Hughes, op.cit. 288, figs I-II (1923); C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1: 247, pl. 73 (1952).
Flowering culms 20–50 cm tall. Leaves; ligule 0.8–1.1 mm long; leaf blades 7–15 cm long, 2–4 mm wide, scabrous. Inflorescence 10–22 cm long; racemes 1–2 cm long, 0.6–1.1 cm wide. Bristles 3–9 mm long. Pedicels 0–0.2 mm long. Spikelets 2–4 on a typical lowermost raceme, lanceolate to obovate, 2.6–3.7 mm long, 0.9–1.1 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 2.3–3.7 mm long, ovate to oblong, 3–7-nerved; upper glume 2.6–3.7 mm long, 11–13-nerved. Lower floret; lemma similar to the upper glume. Upper floret; lemma 2.4–3.5 mm long, apically rounded.
Endemic. This subspecies is restricted to Western Australia. Shrub steppe shrublands and arid hummock grasslands. Xerophytic. Flowering June to Sep. Map 1120.
W.A.: Kalbarri N.P., Murchison R., G.J.Keighery 2056 & N.Gibson (BRI, CANB, PERTH); Little Sandy Desert, 34.8km E of Kulonoski East Well on Beyondie Station, S. van Leeuwin 5009 (BRI, CANB, PERTH); 541 mile peg - North West Coastal Highway [on Wooramel Station], T.E.H.Aplin 3249 (PERTH); Cape Ransonnet Dirk Hartog Island, A.S.George 11389 (NSW, PERTH); Shark Bay, Tamala Stn, P.Morat 8828 (P, PERTH).
The apical recurving of the upper lemma reported by Webster was not observed. Some forms of this subspecies (van Leeuwen 5009) closely resemble specimens of Paspalidium reflexum. The latter species differs from Paractaenum by not all spikelets having subtending bristles and by fragmentation occurring at the base of the spikelets rather than the base of the raceme branch. Further research is required to assess the relationship between these taxa.
1b. Paractaenum novae-hollandiae subsp. reversum (F. Muell.) R.D. Webster, Austral. Paniceae 147 (1987)
Panicum reversum F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 152 (1874). T: near L. Amadeus, S.A., W.E.P.Giles s.n.; holo: MEL (photo BRI); iso: CANB, K (photo BRI), US.
Illustrations: D.K.Hughes, op.cit. 288, fig. III (1923) as Panicum reversum; J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst & F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia 465, fig. 399 (2006); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses of Southern Queensland 324 (1983) as P. novae-hollandiae.
Flowering culms 25–40 cm tall. Leaves; ligule 1.2–1.6 mm long; leaf blades 6–19 cm long, 2–(3–5)–8 mm wide smooth. Inflorescence 12–24 cm long. Primary branches 2.5–5.5 cm long, 1.2–2 cm wide. Bristles 5–15 mm long. Pedicels 0–0.3 mm long. Spikelets 3–5 on a typical lowermost primary branch, lanceolate to oblong, 3.8–6.1 mm long, 1.2–1.4 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 2.9–5.5 mm long, lanceolate, 3–7-nerved (anastomosing); upper glume 3.9–6.1 mm long, 11–13-nerved. Lower floret; lemma simialar to the upper glume. Upper floret; lemma 3.5–5.8 mm long, acute.
Endemic. This subspecies with larger spikelets occurs from Western Australia to New South Wales. It is not as common in W.A. as the type subspecies. Shrub steppe shrublands, Acacia shrublands, arid tussock grasslands, and arid hummock grasslands. Xerophytic. Flowering mostly Mar. to Aug. Map 1121.
W.A.: Windidda, N.H.Speck 1264 (BRI, CANB, PERTH). N.T.: Finke R., 3.5 miles [5.6 km] E of New Crown, J. Must 141 (BRI, DNA). S.A.: 29km S of Gregory Creek on Borefield Road, 43km SSW of Bopeechee, F.J.Badman 2287 (AD, BRI). Qld: Birdsville, S.T.Blake 12242 (BRI). N.S.W.: 11 miles [17.7 km] W of Wilcannia, J.C. De Nardi 271 (BRI, CANB).
PLAGIOSETUM
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Plagiosetum Benth., Hooker's Icon. Pl. 13: 33 (1877); from the Greek plagios, placed sideways and Latin, seta, bristle, referring to the spikelets being suspended by bristles.
Type: P. refractum (F.Muell.) Benth.
Annual. Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent, sparingly branched. Leaves; ligule a fringed membrane; leaf blades smooth. Inflorescence terminal, a panicle of racemes spreading to reflexed, with racemes terminating in a spikelet. Bristles compound, flexible, 12–20 subtending a pair of spikelets. Spikelets lanceolate. Glumes; lower glume lanceolate, membranous, acute to cleft; upper glume the length of the lower lemma, rarely slightly shorter, lanceolate, acute. Lower floret sterile; lemma lanceolate, with apex acute; palea vestigial. Upper floret bisexual; lemma indurate, muricate to finely transversely rugose, lanceolate, rounded on the back, obscurely nerved, glabrous, acute, muticous or mucronate; palea indurate.
A monotypic genus similar to Paractaenum, where it was placed by Webster (1987), but it differs from the latter genus by having many bristles per spikelet, a distinct rachilla between the glumes and a longer pedicel. A molecular phylogeny of the bristle clade of panicoid grasses (Kellogg et al 2009), places P. refractum in a Paspalidium clade between Paspalidium rarum and other Australian species of Paspalidium.
G. Bentham in Hooker's Icon. Pl. 13: 33 (1877); J.W.Vickery Plagiosetum in Flora of New South Wales, 19 Gramineae 2: 224–225 (1975); R.D.Webster, Austral. Paniceae 148–149 (1987) as Paractaenum refractum; S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales 342–343 (2008).
Plagiosetum refractum (F. Muell.) Benth., Hooker's Icon. Pl. 13: 33, t. 1242 (1877).
Setaria refracta F.Muell., Fragm. 3: 147 (1863); Pennisetum refractum (F.Muell.) F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 109 (1873); Panicum refractum (F.Muell.) F.Muell., Fragm. 8: 152 (1874); Paractaenum refractum (F.Muell.) R.Webster., Austral. Paniceae 148 (1987). T: Cooper's Ck, Howitt's expedition, Dr.J.Murray; holo: MEL (photo BRI).
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1: 291 (1952); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses of Southern Queensland 348 (1983); J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst & F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia 466, fig. 400 (2006) as Paractaenum refractum.
Flowering culms 30–60 cm tall, 3–8-noded. Leaves; ligule 1–1.5 mm long; leaf blades 5–13 cm long, 2.5–4.5 mm wide. Inflorescence 13–20 cm long with the lower primary branches frequently enclosed in the sheath. Racemes 2–3.5 cm long, 1–1.6 cm wide. Bristles 14–20 mm long, one bristle with many branches subtending the spikelets. Pedicels 1.2–3.4 mm long Spikelets (1–)2–3 on a typical lowermost raceme, 4.8–6.9 mm long, 0.8–1.6 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 2.4–4.5 mm long, 5–7-nerved; upper glume 4.8–6.9 mm long, 13–17-nerved. Lower floret; lemma similar to the upper glume, 13–19-nerved, 4.1–6.1 mm long; palea muricate and transversely rugose. Anthers 1.3–1.7 mm long.
Endemic. Arid regions of all mainland States excluding Vic. Shrub steppe shrublands, Acacia shrublands, arid tussock grasslands, and arid hummock grasslands. Xerophytic. Flowering sporadically throughout the year. Map 1122.
W.A.: 39 km SW of Onslow junction, NW Coastal Hwy, B.K.Simon 3779 & J.K.Stretch (BRI, CANB, K, NSW, PERTH). N.T.: 19 miles [30.6 km] S of Alice Springs, D.J.Nelson 1880 (BRI, DNA). S.A.: Olympic Dam Mine, Gardner-Torrens, F.J.Badman 5468 (AD, BR, BRI, NY). Qld: Nockatunga, S.T.Blake 11806 (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, L, MO, NSW, P). N.S.W.: 16 km E of Fortville HS, S.Jacobs 3092 (BRI, NSW).
Common in red sandy soils and sand dunes.
URANTHOECIUM
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Uranthoecium Stapf Hooker's Icon. Pl. 5: t. 3073 (1916); from Greek ouranos (vaulted roof) and thekion (little box), referring to the particular shape of the caryopsis.
Type: U. truncatum (Maiden & Betche) Stapf
Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent, sparingly branched, terminated by a solitary inflorescence. Leaves; ligule a fringe of hairs; leaf blades linear, smooth, tapering to a narrow apex. Inflorescence terminal, a spike-like panicle. Primary branches appressed to the main axis. Spikelets lanceolate, sometimes subtended by a rigid and spine-like bristle. Glumes dissimilar in size, 7-nerved, with transverse nerves towards the apex, membranous to chartaceous, glabrous, truncate, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma lanceolate, membranous, the mid-nerve area noticeably thinner than the rest of the surface or chartaceous, with a hyaline area at the base, with nerves obscure and with spicules, glabrous, with apex long acuminate; palea lanceolate, acuminate. Upper floret bisexual; lemma indurate, smooth, shining, lanceolate, rounded on the back, obscurely nerved, glabrous, long acuminate; palea indurate, smooth and shining, acuminate.
A monotypic genus restricted to arid regions of central Australia. This taxon was originally described in Rottboellia, evidently on the basis of the mode of disarticulation; however the spikelet characters place it with the Paniceae and not the Andropogoneae. The biseriate main axis, the disarticulation at the rachis joints and branches ending in a naked point are important characters that Uranthoecium has in common with Stenotaphrum (Webster, 1987). When Stapf described the genus, he pointed out similarities to Xerochloa and Stenotaphrum.
O.Stapf, Uranthoecium truncatum, Hooker Icon. Pl. 31. t.3073, 1–2 (1916); S.T.Blake, Studies in Queensland Grasses, III. Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensland 59: 160 (1948); R.D.Webster, Uranthoecium, Austral. Paniceae 227–228 (1987).
Uranthoecium truncatum (Maiden & Betche) Stapf, Hooker's Icon. Pl. 5: t. 3073 (1916)
Rottboellia truncata Maiden & Betche, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 31: 741, t. 69 (1906). T: Yandama, N.S.W., Apr. 1906, A.W.Mullen; holo: NSW (photo BRI) ; iso: K (photo BRI).
Illustrations: Maiden & Betche, op. cit., as Rottboellia truncata; J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses of Southern Queensland 424 (1983); J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst & F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia 491, fig. 424 (2006).
Flowering culms 15–45 cm tall, 2–6-noded. Leaves; ligule 1.1–1.5 mm long; leaf blades 4–15 cm long, 2–5 mm wide. Inflorescence 3–10 cm long, fragile, easily breaking into units at the rachis nodes or base of inflorescence. Primary branches 0.2–0.5 cm long, 0.7–1 cm wide. Pedicels 0.2–0.4 mm long. Spikelets 2–3 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 8–11 mm long, 1.3–1.6 mm wide. Bristles, when present, 2.5-4.5 mm long. Glumes; lower glume 2.5–3 mm long; upper glume 4.5–5.5 mm long. Lower floret; lemma 8–11 mm long, 1.3–1.6 mm wide, 7–9-nerved; palea about ¾ length of lemma, 2-nerved. Upper floret; lemma 6–7.3 mm long, 5-nerved; palea 4-5 mm long, about ¾ length of lemma, 2-nerved; anthers c.1 mm long.
Endemic. Arid central, northern and eastern Australia. Arid and semi-arid low woodlands, shrub steppe shrublands, acacia shrublands, arid tussock grasslands, and arid hummock grasslands. Xerophytic. Flowering Mar. to June. Map 1123.
N.T.: Between Soudan Stn and Rankine Store, S.T.Blake 17915 (BRI, CANB, NSW, PERTH). S.A.: 16 km SSE of Dulanina Stn on road to Sinclairs Bore, D.E.Symon 15552 (AD, BRI, CANB, NY). Qld: Moorrinya N.P., 70 km S of Torrens Creek, E.J.Thompson TAN434 & G.W.Wilson (BRI, NSW); Near Mistake Hut Dam, Bladensburg N.P. P.I.Forster 22226 & R.Booth (BRI, DNA, MEL). N.S.W.: 35 km NW of Milparinka on Hawken Gate Rd, S.Jacobs 3506 (BRI, NSW).
U. truncatum is a sister taxon to species of Paspalidium (P. retiglume, P. udum and P. geminatum) in a recent molecular phylogeny (E.A.Kellogg, S.S. Aliscioni, et al. (2009). A phylogeny of Setaria (Poaceae, Panicoideae, Paniceae) and related genera based on the chloroplast gene ndhF. Int. J.Pl. Sc. 170 (1): 117-131.)
HYGROCHLOA
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Hygrochloa Lazarides, Brunonia 2: 86–87 (1979); from the Greek hygros (wet, moist) and chloa (a grass), referring to habitat.
Type: H. aquatica Lazarides.
Annual or perennial, sometimes stoloniferous. Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent, sparingly or copiously branched. Leaves; ligule a fringe of hairs; leaf blades linear or filiform, hairy with papilla-like hairs, tapering to a narrow apex or acute or obtuse. Plants monoecious. Inflorescence a terminal spike-like panicle with 4–6 short appressed racemes of female spikelets below, and male spikelets above either in short racemes or solitary towards the apex. Racemes terminating in an unspecialised point. Spikelets elliptic to oblong. Glumes glabrous, muticous; lower glume ovate, hyaline to membranous, smooth, obtuse; upper glume ovate to oblong, membranous, rounded. Lower floret sterile in basal spikelets or male or sterile in apical spikelets; lemma elliptic to oblong, membranous, with a hyaline area at the base, with nerves distinct and smooth, glabrous, with apex acute, muticous; palea absent. Upper floret female in basal spikelets or male or sterile in apical spikelets; lemma chartaceous to cartilaginous, irregularly striate, elliptic, rounded on the back, obscurely nerved, glabrous, acute, muticous; palea chartaceous to cartilaginous, irregularily striate. Anthers 3.
An Australian endemic genus of two species. The leaf-blades are densely papillose above, the trapped air presumably assisting flotation. With its aberrant characters Hygrochloa seems to be of remote affinity in the tribe Paniceae. There seems a close superficial resemblance to Paspalidium udum S.T.Blake, which does not have unisexual spikelets (Lazarides 1979).
Although it has a monoecious inflorescence like Thuarea, the only other Australian panicoid monoecious genus, it has no relationship with this genus. The inflorescence consists of a terminal panicle of groups of racemose spikelets whereas in Thuarea the inflorescence is a terminal single one-sided raceme fused to a spathe like structure.
M.Lazarides, Hygrochloa, a new genus of aquatic grasses from the Northern Territory, Brunonia 2: 85–90 (1979); R.D.Webster, Hygrochloa, Austral. Paniceae 97–99 (1987).
Inflorescence 6‑10 cm long; culms decumbent 1. H. aquatica
Inflorescence 12‑25 cm long; culms caespitose 2. H. cravenii
1. Hygrochloa aquatica Lazarides, Brunonia 2: 87 (1979)
T: near Howard Springs, N.T., L.A.Craven 4462; holo; CANB; iso: BRI, DNA, K, L.
Illustrations: M.Lazarides, Brunonia 2: 88, fig. 1b, d-k (1979); I.D.Cowie, P.S.Short & M.Osterkamp Madsen, Floodplain Flora 297, Fig 74 (2000); D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass (2002).
Annual or perennial, sometimes stoloniferous. Flowering culms decumbent, 100–200 cm tall, sparingly branched, 3–5-noded. Leaves; ligule 0.3–0.8 mm long; leaf blades 4–16 cm long, 2.5–6 mm wide, linear. Inflorescence 6–10 cm long with racemes 0.2–0.6 cm long and 0.4–0.6 cm wide. Pedicels 0.1–0.2 mm long. Spikelets 1–5 on a typical lowermost raceme, 2–2.8 mm long in basal female spikelets or 3.5–4 mm long in apical male spikelets, 0.8–1 mm wide in female spikelets or 1–1.3 mm wide in male spikelets. Glumes; lower glume 0.5–0.75 mm long in female spikelets or 0.5 mm long in male spikelets; upper glume 1.2–2.3 mm long in female spikelets or c.2 mm long in male spikelets, 5(–7)-nerved in female spikelets or 5-nerved in male spikelets. Lower floret; lemma 0.8–1 mm wide, 5(–7)-nerved. Upper floret; lemma c.2 mm long in female spikelets or 3.5–4 mm long in male spikelets. Anthers 2.2–2.6 mm long.
Endemic. From the wet areas around Darwin, N.T. and one specimen from the Drysdale R., W.A. Tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands and coastal grasslands. Hydrophytic (grows densely in permanent and seasonally flooded lagoons, swamps and similar habitats, in water up to 40 cm deep). Flowering Jan. to July. Map 1124.
W.A.: Swamp ca 10km NW of Barton Plains Outcamp on Drysdale R., A.A.Mitchell 4759 (BRI, PERTH). N.T.: 6 km N of Madginberri, I.R.Telford 7704 (BRI, CANB); Swim Billabong, Wildman R. Reserve, C.R.Dunlop 6989 (BRI DNA, NSW); c. 10 km E Stuart Hwy., Marrakai Track, M.O.Rankin 2314 (BRI, CANB, DNA, NE, PERTH); Little Nourlangie Rock, C.R.Dunlop 5094 (BRI, CANB).
Hygrochloa aquatica has specialized culm and leaf characteristics adapted to aquatic conditions. The submerged tufts produce summerged and floating culms, with emergent panicles 7–10 cm above the water.
The floating or submerged culms are probably grazed by buffaloes.
2. Hygrochloa cravenii Lazarides, Brunonia 2: 89 (1979)
T: 17 miles [27.4 km] N of Wilton R. crossing, N.T., P.K.Latz 2768; holo: CANB; iso: BRI, DNA, L.
Illustrations: M.Lazarides, Brunonia 2: 88, fig. 1a, c, l-o (1979); I.D.Cowie, P.S.Short & M.Osterkamp Madsen, Floodplain Flora 297, Fig 74 (2000).
Annual, without stolons. Flowering culms caespitose, 60–100 cm tall, copiously branched, 3–6-noded. Leaves; ligule 0.2–0.8 mm long; leaf blades 2–22 cm long, 1–1.4 mm wide, filiform. Inflorescence 12–25 cm long. Primary branches 0.6–2 cm long, 0.4–0.6 cm wide. Pedicels 0.2–0.4 mm long. Spikelets 5–12 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 2–2.6 mm long, 0.8–1 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 0.5–0.7 mm long; upper glume 1.8–2.3 mm long in basal female spikelets or c.3 mm long in apical male spikelets, 0.9–1 times the length of the lower lemma. Lower floret; lemma 2–2.6 mm long, 0.8–1 mm wide, 5–7-nerved in female spikelets or 5(–7)-nerved in male spikelets. Upper floret; lemma 2–2.5 mm long in female spikelets or 4–5 mm long in male spikelets. Anthers 2.2–2.4 mm long.
Endemic. Restricted to the wet areas of eastern Arnhemland and Gulf, N.T. and recently collected from the Gulf Plains of Qld. Tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Helophytic. Flowering June to July. Map 1125.
N.T.: McArthur R. area, L.A.Craven 4740 (CANB); Paperbark Swamp on Bing Bong Rd., Lagoon Rd, Humpty Doo, I.D.Cowie 7523 (BRI, CANB, DNA, NSW); Lambells Lagoon, I.D.Cowie 7527 & W. Hyke (BRI, DNA). Qld: 61km NW of Burketown on Escott Stn, E.J.Thompson WES1274 & G.W.Wilson (BRI, CANB, DNA, NSW, MO); 49km NW of Burketown on Escott Stn, E.J.Thompson WES1274 & G.W.Wilson WES1303 (BRI, NSW).
It differs from H. aquatica by a longer main axis than in longer lowermost primary branches, more spikelets on these branches, an erect habit, involute leaves and much branched culms. Ecologically this species grows on the wet margins of seasonal Melaleuca-dominated swamps and similar habitats. It does not produce the submerged or floating culms or adventitious roots of H. aquatica.
STENOTAPHRUM
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Stenotaphrum Trin., Fund. Agrost. 175 (1820); from the Greek stenos (narrow) and taphros (trench), alluding to cavities in rachides.
Type: S. glabrum Trin. = S. secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze, p.p.
Annual or perennial, sometimes rhizomatous, stoloniferous. Flowering culms decumbent, sparingly branched. Leaves; ligule a fringed membrane; leaf blades smooth, tapering to a narrow apex or obtuse. Inflorescence a terminal spike-like panicle or raceme, sometimes these also produced on axillary branches. Spikelets lanceolate to elliptic. Glumes glabrous, membranous, muticous; lower glume ovate, nerveless, smooth, cleft to obtuse; upper glume lanceolate to elliptic, acuminate to truncate. Lower floret male or sterile; lemma lanceolate to elliptic, chartaceous to cartilaginous, with nerves obscure and smooth, glabrous, with apex acute, muticous; palea absent or when present elliptic. Upper floret bisexual; lemma cartilaginous to indurate, smooth, oblong to elliptic, rounded on the back, obscurely nerved, glabrous, acute, muticous; palea cartilaginous to indurate, smooth, enclosed at its apex by the lemma. Anthers 1–2 mm long.
A tropical genus of 7 species; 2 species in Australia, 1 native and 1 introduced. Derived from Paspalidium by a progressive reduction of the racemes and expansion of the central axis. Although Webster (1988) indicates the spikelets indicate a close relationship of the genus with Thuarea and Uranthoecium, a molecular phylogeny (Kellogg et al 2008) places it with Paspalidium. The swollen inflorescence axis is presumably an adaptation to dispersal by sea, but it only remains buoyant for about a week.
J.D.Sauer, Revision of Stenotaphrum (Gramineae: Paniceae) with attention to its historical geography, Brittonia 24: 202–222 (1972); J.Vickery, Contr. N.S.W. Natl. Herb. 19(2): 264–266 (1975); R.D.Webster, Stenotaphrum, Austral. Paniceae 219–222 (1987).
Inflorescence dorsi‑ventral; spikelets 4‑5 mm long 1. *S. secundatum
Inflorescence cylindrical; spikelets c. 3 mm long 2. S. micranthum
1. *Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) O. Kuntze, Révis. Gen. Pl. 2: 794 (1891) as secundum
Ischaemum secundatum Walter, Fl. Carol. 249 (1788); S. dimidiatum var. secundatum (Walter) Domin, as secundum, Biblioth. Bot. 85: 332 (1915). T: South Carolina, U.S.A., T.Walter.; holo; BM, n.v..
S. americanum Schrank, Pl. Rar. Hort. Acad. Monacensis 2, t. 98 (1821). T: coloured pl., drawn from plant in the Munich Botanic Gardens, n.v..
Diastemanthe platystachys Steud., Syn. Pl. Glumac. 360 (1854). T: Port Jackson, N.S.W., 1840, Dumont D'Urville s.n.; lecto: Herb. Steudel, P, n.v..
[Stenotaphrum dimidiatum auct. non (L.) Brongn.,: F.J.H. von Mueller, Sec. Syst. Census Austral. Pl. 220 (1889)].
Illustrations: C.A.Gardner, Fl. W. Australia 1: 244 (1952); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses of Southern Queensland 390 (1983); J.P.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst & F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia 489, Fig. 423 (2006).
Perennial, rhizomatous. Flowering culms 10–40 cm tall, 2–5-noded. Leaves; ligule 0.4–0.6 mm long; leaf blades 5–15 cm long, 5–150 mm wide, linear, obtuse. Inflorescence 5–10 cm long. Pedicels 0.2–0.4 mm long. Spikelets 1–4 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 4–5.1 mm long, 1.4–1.8 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 1–2 mm long; upper glume 4–5 mm long, lanceolate to elliptic, 9-nerved, acute. Lower floret male; lemma 4–5 mm long, lanceolate, membranous, 7–9-nerved, with apex acute; palea elliptic, acute. Upper floret; lemma 3.8–4.5 mm long, smooth or scabrous towards the apex, elliptic, glabrous and with a scabrous surface; palea cartilaginous to indurate, smooth. Anthers 2.3–2.5 mm long. Buffalo Grass.
Introduced possibly from the east coast of Africa and Sri Lanka, although it may be native of the Atlantic Coast of the United States from Florida to North Carolina (Crins 1991). Mainly coastal regions from Cairns to Perth and including Tas. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, temperate rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, dry sclerophyll forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, and temperate sub-humid woodlands. Flowering throughout the year. Map 1127.
W.A.: Coulston Road, Boya, ca 1 km W of summit of Greenmount Hill, B.J.Lepschi & T.R. Lally 2504 (BRI, CANB, MEL). N.T.: Hemannsburg Mission, A.S.Mitchell 1250 (DNA). S.A.: Pt. Noarlunga, D.E.Symon 3194 (AD, CANB). Qld: 11 km NE of Brisbane, L.Durrington 498 (BRI). N.S.W.: Narrabeen Lakes, Sydney, M.Gray 6272 (BRI, CANB). Vic: Corringle Beach, P.C.Jobson 4193 (BRI, NSW). Tas: Swansea, D.Sharp 194 & B.K.Simon (BRI, HO).
A warm season lawn grass that is popular for use in tropical and subtropical regions, a low to medium maintenance grass that forms a thick, lawn, crowding out most weeds and other grasses. Commonly associated with coastal areas where the mode of disarticulation assists with dispersal. Cultivated as a lawn grass in the tropics and warm temperate regions of the world. According to Sauer (1972), the common form of this species planted in Australia is a sterile triploid clone, which he called the Cape deme, introduced in the mid 19th Century. The normal seed-bearing diploid was in Australia earlier but may not survive today.
2. Stenotaphrum micranthum (Desv.) C.E. Hubb., Grasses Mauritius Rodriguez 73 (1940)
Ophiurinella micrantha Desv., Mem. Soc. Agric. Angers 1: 179, t. 8, f. 4 ( 1831) and Opusc. Sci. Phys. Nat. 75 (1831). T: Bourbon [Reunion Is.], n.v. (?P).
S. subulatum Trin., Mem. Acad. Imp. Sci. St. Petersbourg Hist. Acad. ser. 6, 3: 190 (1834). T: Guam, Marianas Is., 1828, C.H.Mertens s.n.; holo: LE, n.v.
Illustrations: R.Pilger, Die Naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien 14e, 91, Fig. 56, N-U (1940) as S. subulatum; I.R.H.Telford, Flora of Australia 50: 490. Fig. 91 (1993); S-L Chen et al, Flora of China, Illustrations, Poaceae, Fig. 749 (2007).
Annual or perennial. Flowering culms 9–30 cm tall, 2–6-noded. Leaves; ligule 0.2–0.7 mm long, erose; leaf blades 3–11 cm long, 4–11 mm wide, linear to lanceolate. Inflorescence a cylindrical raceme 6–12 cm long. Pedicels 0.1–0.2 mm long. Spikelets 2–3 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 2.1–3 mm long, 0.7–1 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 0.3–0.6 mm long; upper glume 0.3–0.8 mm long, ovate, nerveless, truncate. Lower floret sterile; lemma 2.1–3 mm long, 0.7–1 mm wide, oblong, cartilaginous, 3-nerved, with apex acute; palea absent. Upper floret; lemma 2–2.5 mm long, finely muricate to transversely rugose, oblong, glabrous; palea cartilaginous, muricate to transversely rugose. Anthers 1.4–1.6 mm long. Beach Buffalo Grass.
Native. Common on islands and coral cays of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It has been collected on the islands off the Qld coast, but not on the mainland. Tropical and subtropical rain forests and tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands. Flowering June to Nov. Map 1126.
Qld: Green Is, B.M.Waterhouse 6275 & L.Hucks (BRI, CANB, MBA); Green Is., S.T.Blake 22082 (BRI, CANB, K, L, MO, NOU, NSW, PERTH, PRE, US); Hoskyn Island, G.N.Batianoff 205107 (BRI, DNA, NSW); Heron Is., G.N.Batianoff 98102 (BRI, CANB, NSW); NE Herald Cay, Coral Sea, G.N.Batianoff 97069 (BRI, CANB).
The biseriate inflorescence and the smaller spilelets easily distinguishes this species from S. secundatum. Reported to be a good pasture and lawn grass.
ANCISTRACHNE
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Ancistrachne S.T. Blake, Univ. Queensland Dept. Biol. Pap. 1: 4 (1941); from the Greek (ancistrus) to furnish with barbs, and (achne) husk or glume, referring to the often hooked hairs on the glumes.
Type: A. uncinulata (R. Br.) S.T. Blake.
Perennial, rhizomatous. Flowering culms caespitose or decumbent, much branched, 8–20-noded. Leaves; ligule a fringed membrane; leaf blades linear to lanceolate, hairy or glabrous, strigose, scabrous. Inflorescence terminal, a narrow, racemose panicle. Racemes spreading, with loosely arranged spikelets and terminating in a spikelet. Spikelets lanceolate. Glumes; lower glume, the length of the lower lemma, triangular to oblong, membranous, smooth, hairy or glabrous, strigose, acute, muticous; upper glume lanceolate, membranous, strigose, acute, muticous. Lower floret sterile; lemma lanceolate, membranous to chartaceous, with nerves distinct and smooth, hairy, with apex acute, muticous; palea absent. Upper floret bisexual; lemma cartilaginous to indurate, smooth and faintly striate, lanceolate to elliptic, rounded on the back, obscurely nerved, glabrous, acute, mucronate; palea indurate, smooth. Anthers 3.
A tropical genus of 4 species with 1 in the Philippines, 1 in New Caledonia and 2 endemic in Australia. The relationship of Ancistrachne within the Paniceae is not clear and no molecular phylogeny has been undertaken on the genus. The uncinulate spines or hairs on the glumes and lower lemma is a distinctive feature.
S.T.Blake, New genera of Australian grasses, Pap. Dept. Biol. Univ. Qld 1(19): 1–12 (1941); J. Vickery, Contr. N.S.W. Natl. Herb. 19 (1): 74–76 (1961); R.D.Webster, Ancistrachne in Austral. Paniceae 9–11 (1987).
1. Spikelets 4.3‑5 mm long, upper glume and
lower lemma with rigid hooked spines 1. A. uncinulata
2. . Spikelets 2.4‑3 mm long, upper glume and
lower lemma with fine curved hairs 2. A. maidenii
1. Ancistrachne uncinulata (R. Br.) S.T. Blake, Univ. Queensland Dept. Biol. Pap. 1: 5 (1941)
Panicum uncinulatum R.Br. Prodr. 191 (1810). T: east coast, Qld, R.Brown Iter Australiense 6106; holo: BM (photo BRI).
Illustrations: N.T.Burbidge, Austral. Grasses 3: 104 (1970); J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker, Grasses of Southern Queensland 96 (1983); T.D.Stanley & E.M.Ross, Fl. SE Queensland 3: 205, fig. 32A (1989); S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales: 4th edn, 121 (2008).
Flowering culms 30–120 cm tall, woody and persistent. Leaves; ligule 0.4–0.6 mm long; leaf blades 1–17 cm long, 1–8 mm wide. Inflorescence 3–13 cm long, 1-6 cm wide. Racemes 0.4–3.5 cm long, 0.3–0.6 cm wide. Pedicels 1–8 mm long. Spikelets 1–12 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 4.3–5 mm long, 1.1–1.8 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume 1.1–1.8 mm long, triangular, 3–5-nerved, smooth, glabrous; upper glume 3.7–5.1 mm long, 9-nerved, with rigid hooked spines. Lower floret; lemma 3.7–5.1 mm long, 1–1.7 mm wide, membranous to chartaceous, 9-nerved, with rigid hooked spines. Upper floret; lemma 2.9–3.8 mm long, 7-nerved; palea slightly shorter and 2-nerved. Anthers c. 2 mm long. Hooky Grass.
Endemic. Eastern Australia, Qld and N.S.W. but more common in Qld. Tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, Brigalow forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, and semi-arid shrub woodlands. Mesophytic. Flowering mostly Dec. to June. Map 1128.
Qld.:11.4 km N of Palmer R. crossing on Peninsula Development Rd, J.R.Clarkson 6677 & W.J.F.McDonald (BRI, MBA, NSW); 7 km N of Belyando crossing on Gregory Development Rd, E.J.Thompson BUC898 & P.R.Sharpe (AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MO, NSW, PERTH); Alpha, C.E. Hubbard 7906 (BRI, CANB, K). Marmor, S.T.Blake 12767 (BRI, CANB, K). N.S.W.: Pilliga Scrub, Oct 1918, J.B.Cleland s.n. (BRI, NSW).
Interesting features of this species include the highly branched culm, and the spikelets with the characteristic rigid hooked spines. The larger spikelet size and the spikelet indumentum distinguishes it from A. maidenii.
2. Ancistrachne maidenii (A.A. Ham.) Vick., Contr. New South Wales Natl Herb. 3: 83 (1961)
Eriochloa maidenii A.A.Ham., Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 37: 709 (1913). T: Hawkesbury R., N.S.W., May 1912, A.A.Hamilton s.n.; holo: NSW (photo BRI); iso: BRI.
Illustrations: S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales: 4th edn, 121 (2008).
Flowering culms 30–100 cm tall. Leaves; ligule 0.4–0.6 mm long; leaf blades 1–4 cm long, 1–4 mm wide. Inflorescence 3–10 cm long. Primary branches 0.4–2.5 cm long, 0.3–0.6 cm wide. Pedicels 1–8 mm long. Spikelets 1–8 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 2.4–3 mm long, 0.9–1.4 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume to 0.25 mm long, nerveless, membranous, smooth; upper glume 2.4–3 mm long, 7–9-nerved, with fine curved hairs. Lower floret; lemma 2.5–3 mm long, 0.9–1.2 mm wide, membranous to chartaceous, 7–9-nerved, with fine curved hairs. Upper floret; lemma and palea 2.2–2.7 mm long, lemma with a short mucro to 0.25 mm long.
Endemic. Restricted to the central coast of N.S.W. (northern Sydney, around Berowra Waters, Brooklyn and Wisemans Ferry). Dry sclerophyll forests. Mesophytic. Flowering Jan. to June. Map 1129.
N.S.W.: Erskine Ck downstream from Jack Evans track, Blue Mts N.P., R.G.Coveny 17686 (BRI, NSW); 2 m from Berowra Creek below the Benowie Great North Walking track, Jan 1999, P.Pike s.n. (NSW); between junction of Berowra and Connellys Creeks, 6 miles from Hornsby, Jan 1918, W.F.Blakely s.n. (K, NSW); Gunderman Ck, Dharug N. P., P.Matthew 160399b (NSW); Singleton Road, Wisemans Ferry, 2.35 km from Old Northern Road on right hand side opposite the Rosedale Caravan Park, Jan. 1999, P.Pike s.n. (NSW).
A rare species, differeing from A. uncinulata by the smaller spikelets and different spikelet indumentum, having fine curved hairs, instead of rigid curved spines.
Listed as a vulnerable species by the N.S.W. Scientific Committee of the Threatened Species Conservation Act. There are seven known populations, four of which are reserved. The total area of occupancy is estimated to be approximately 3.5 hectares. Five locations (including three of the reserved ones) have an area of occupancy of less than 75 square metres. Threats include the small size of populations, road and track works and urban development. Surveys along urban creeklines failed to record the species, indicating a possible sensitivity to pollution or weed invasion. The risk of extinction is high due to low population numbers. [This could probably cut down a bit – info from web.]
THUAREA
B.K.Simon, C.M.Weiller & R.D.Webster
Thuarea Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 110 (1805); after the French botanist du Petit Thouars.
Type: T. involuta (G.Forst.) Roem. & Schult.
Perennial, stoloniferous, with well-developed internodes. Flowering culms caespitose, unbranched. Leaves; ligule a fringe of hairs; leaf blades linear to lanceolate, pubescent, tapering to a narrow apex to acute. Plants andromonoecious. Inflorescence a terminal spicate raceme with 1–2 bisexual spikelets below and 5 male spikelets above. Spikelets lanceolate to elliptic. Glumes; lower glume absent or reduced to a narrow rim; upper glume lanceolate to elliptic, 5–7-nerved, membranous, puberulent to villous, acute, muticous. Lower floret male in both basal bisexual and apical male spikelets; lemma lanceolate to elliptic, membranous, similar to upper glume; palea linear to lanceolate, acute, membranous. Upper floret bisexual in basal bisexual spikelets or male in apical male spikelets; lemma cartilaginous to indurate, smooth, lanceolate to elliptic, rounded on the back, obscurely nerved, glabrous, acute, muticous; palea cartilaginous to indurate, smooth.
A genus of 2 species, one occurring in the coastal regions of Madagascar, and one in Indomalaya, Australia and New Guinea. The inflorescence is borne on a very short culm, and the capsules either become buried in the sand or float away in the sea. Relationships with other genera are obscure although previously relationship with Stenotaphrum has been suggested (Webster 1987); no recent molecular phylogeny has included the genus. Although it has a monoecious inflorescence like Hygrochloa, the only other Australian panicoid monoecious genus, it has no relationship with this genus. The inflorescence consists is a single one-sided raceme fused to a spathe like structure whereas in Hygrochloa the inflorescence consists of a panicle of groups of racemose spikelets.
H.B.Gilliland, Fl. Malaya, Grasses 3: 207 (1971); R.D.Webster, Thuarea, Austral. Paniceae 222–223 (1987); C-S.Kuoh, C.Hsiao, & G.-I.Liao, Comparison of upper floret development in bisexual and male spikelets of Thuarea involuta (Gramineae) with scanning electron microscopy. Taiwania 43 (3): 235–245 (1998).
Thuarea involuta (G. Forst.) R. Br. ex Smith, In Rees, Cycl. :35(II.70) [May] (1817)
Ischaemum involutum G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. 73 (1786); Thuarea involuta G. Forst.) Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 2: 808 (1817). T: Society Is, n.v. (?P).
T. sarmentosa Pers., Syn. Pl. 1: 110 (1805). T: Habitat in Madagascariae arenos ...; n.v..
T. latifolia R.Br., Prodr. 197 (1810); T. involuta f. latifolia (R.Br.) Domin., Biblioth. Bot. 85: 333 (1915). T: Banks s.n.; iso: CANB.
T. media R.Br., Prodr. 197 (1810). T: (T.) v.v., R.Brown; holo: n.v.
Illustrations: J.C.Tothill & J.B.Hacker. The grasses of southern Queensland 406 (1983); D.J.Du Puy, Flora of Australia 50, Poaceae, Fig. 91C-E (1993); S-L Chen et al, Flora of China, Illustrations, Poaceae, Fig. 733 (2007).
Flowering culms 2.5–25 cm tall, 4–10-noded. Leaves; ligule 0.5–1 mm long; leaf blades 2–7 cm long, 3–10 mm wide. Inflorescence 1.5–3 cm long. Pedicels 0.1–0.2 mm long. Spikelets 1 on a typical lowermost primary branch, 4–5.4 mm long, 1.5–2.4 mm wide. Glumes; lower glume not fused with the callus, to 3.2 mm long (mostly 1.0–2.5); upper glume 4–5.4 mm long. Lower floret; lemma 3–5.4 mm long, 1.5–2.4 mm wide, 5–7-nerved. Upper floret; lemma 4–5.4 mm long. Anthers 2.4–2.7 mm long. Tropical Beachgrass.
Native. Littoral occurrence from Cape York to Hervey Bay, Qld; also from the Gove region and Wessel Is., N.T. Tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical rain forests, and coastal grasslands. Mesophytic. Flowering Sep. to May. Map 1135.
N.T.: Wessel Is., P.K.Latz 3441 (BRI, CANB). Qld: Cooktown, S.T.Blake 23487 (BRI, CANB); 2.5 km N of mouth of McIvor R., J.R.Clarkson 5209 (ATH, BRI, K, NSW); Conway Beach, B.K.Simon 2595 & S.B.Andrews (BRI, CANB, K, NSW); Heron Island, G.N.Batianoff 981042 (BRI, DNA, NSW).
At maturity the male spikelets fall entire and the upper part of the raceme folds over the bisexual spikelets forming a watertight hardened propagule. This is either buried in the sand or is able to float on the sea where it is able to withstand immersion in salt water for a long period.