Amphibromus fluitans Kirk. Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 16: 374 (1884).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Poeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: LT: T. Kirk s.n., New Zeland: Waihi Lake, Waikato
(WELT-68389). LT designated by Edgar & Connor, Fl. New Zealand 5:
298 (2000).
Recent synonyms:
Amphibromus gracilis P. Morris.
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses
of New South Wales (118), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia,
Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (136), [1989] T.D.Stanley & E.Ross. Flora of
South East Queensland, Gramineae 3
(118).
Illustrations:
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (118), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A:
Poaceae 2 (135, Fig.20).
Derivation: L.
fluito, float. Leaves or rhizomes floating.
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes absent or present. Stolons absent or present. Culms
decumbent, 40–75 cm tall, 0.5–1.5 mm diam., 3–5 -noded. Mid-culm nodes
glabrous. Leaf-sheaths antrorsely scabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 6.5–12
mm long, acute. Leaf-blades flat or involute, 10–25 cm long, 2–4.5 mm wide.
Leaf-blade surface scabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle 15–35 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (4(5-)6–10(-12)), comprising (5–)6–10(–12) fertile floret(s), with a
barren rachilla extension or with diminished florets at the apex, oblong,
laterally compressed, 9–15 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, chartaceous, much
thinner on margins, keeled, 1-keeled, 1–3 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate,
3.4–4.5 mm long, chartaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3–5 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 3.7–5 mm long, without keel, 7 -nerved. Lemma surface glabrous or
indumented. Lemma apex dentate, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn dorsal,
11–17 mm long overall, without a column or with a straight or slightly twisted
column or with a twisted column. Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 1.3–1.7 mm
long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: New South Wales, Victoria.
New South Wales:
South-Western Slopes, South-Western Plains. Victoria: Eastern Highlands,
Gippsland Plain, Grampians, Riverina, Wannon.
Notes. Also in
N.Z. Usually in permanent swamps. Flowers Nov.-Mar.
