Aristida australis B.K.Simon. Austrobaileya
2: 88 (1984).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Aristidoideae. Aristideae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia: South Australia: Southern
Lofty:
Adelaide Plains near Queenstown, 8 May 1967, T. Smith s.n. (HT:
AD-96737133(photo, BRI); IT: BRI-279005).
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 (319).
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3
(Fig.
20H-J), [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South
Australia (319, fig. 250).
Derivation: L.
of the south.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 30–65 cm tall, 3–4 -noded. Mid-culm internodes
glabrous.
Lateral branches branched. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.2 mm long.
Leaf-blades
flexuous, flat, 5–10 cm long, 2–3 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle linear, 8–24 cm long, 0.2–0.3
cm
wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 13 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 1–3 -nerved. Lower glume apex awned. Upper glume
lanceolate,
13 mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume apex
entire,
awned.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 9–10 mm long, without keel, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex awned, 3
-awned. Median (principal) awn without a column. Lateral lemma awns
present.
Palea without keels. Anthers 3.
Continental Distribution:
Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: South Australia.
South Australia:
Southern Lofty.
Notes.
A. australis is very similar to A. arida and A.
nitidula,
with the exception of its completely smooth or very sparsely scaberulous
lemmas. These three species are sympatric and are probably closely
related.
Restricted
to three localised regions of South Australia. Sandy soil. Flowering and
fruiting February, May, August and September.
