Amphibromus archeri (Hook.f.) P.Morris. Victorian
Naturalist 51:146 (1934). Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae.
Tribe Poeae.
Common name:
Pointed Swamp Wallaby Grass.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Danthonia
archeri Hook. f. Flora Tasmaniae 2: 122, t. 163B. 1858.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: ST: Archer 28, Australia: Tasmania: Cheshunt
(K(central culm only); ILT: NSW). LT designated by Jacobs & Lapinpuro, Telopea
2: 726 (1986).
Recent synonyms:
A. archeri var. papillosus P.Morris.
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 (195), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A.
Poaceae 2 (134).
Illustrations:
[2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (196, fig. 144), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.),
Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (135, Fig.20).
Derivation: in
honor of William Archer (1820–74), English-born Tasmanian botanist.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 60–120 cm tall, 1–3 mm diam., 2–4 -noded. Mid-culm
nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 4.5–12.5 mm
long, acute. Leaf-blades flat or involute, 15–32 cm long, 2.5–5 mm wide.
Leaf-blade surface smooth or scaberulous, indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle or a panicle. Panicle 15–35 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (3–7), comprising 3–7 fertile floret(s), with a barren rachilla
extension or with diminished florets at the apex, oblong, laterally compressed,
12–18 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 3–5 -nerved. Upper glume elliptic, 6.4–9.2 mm long,
membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 5–7 -nerved. Upper glume apex muticous or
mucronate.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 6–8 mm long, without keel, 7 -nerved. Lemma apex dentate, awned,
1–5 -awned. Median (principal) awn dorsal, 14.5–18 mm long overall, with a
twisted column. Column 5–7.5 mm long. Lateral lemma awns present. Lodicules
present. Anthers 3. Grain 1.7–2.2 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania.
South Australia:
Flinders Ranges, Northern Lofty, Southern Lofty, Kangaroo Island,
South-eastern. Victoria: East Gippsland, Gippsland Plain, Grampians,
Midlands, Otway Plain, Wannon. Tasmania: North East, Central Highlands,
Midlands, East Coast.
Notes. Endemic.
In damp areas such as lagoons, waterholes and swamps, often on predominantly
sandy soils.
