Anisopogon avenaceus R.Br. Prodr. 176
(1810).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae.
Tribe Stipeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: R. Brown 6223, no date, Australia: New
South Wales (BM; IT: US-3168441 (fragm. ex BM)).
Key references
(books and floras): [1810]. R.Brown, Prodromus (176), [1878]
G.Bentham, Flora Australiensis 7 (598 as A. strictus var. avenaceus),
[2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia, [2006]
J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (123),
[2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2
(14).
Illustrations:
[1984] N.T.Burbidge. rev. S.W.L.Jacobs, Australian Grasses (55), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley &
D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn (123), [2009].
A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (69, Fig 10).
Derivation: L. -acea,
resembling. With inflorescences and/or spikelets similar to those of Avena.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 50–100 cm tall. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule a fringed
membrane, a ciliolate membrane, 1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades involute, 10–30 cm
long, 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous, glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle oblong, effuse, 15–25 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), with a barren rachilla extension, linear, laterally compressed,
40–50 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, herbaceous,
without keels, 7–11 -nerved. Lower glume apex muticous. Upper glume lanceolate,
40–60 mm long, herbaceous, without keels, 7–11 -nerved. Upper glume apex
muticous.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 12–18 mm long, without keel, 7 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented.
Lemma apex lobed, awned, 3 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a sinus, 60–80
mm long overall, with a twisted column. Lateral lemma awns present. Palea 2
-nerved. Palea apex dentate. Lodicules present. Grain 7 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: New South Wales, Victoria.
New South Wales:
Central Coast, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands. Victoria:
East Gippsland, Gippsland Plain.
Notes.
East Coast, from the Blue Mountains to Gippsland, altitude 5–900 m, common in
open woodlands and heath on sandstones. Flowers Nov. (rarely at other times).