Aristida forsteri B.K.Simon. Austrobaileya
4: 147 (1994).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Aristidoideae. Aristideae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Queensland: Darling Downs District: head of
Pariagara Creek, Wondul Range, 28.11S, 151.02E, 12 Apr 1992, P.I.Foster
& P. Machim PIF9793 (HT: BRI; IT: CANB, K, MEL).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3 (Fig.
15).
Derivation: in
honor of Paul Irwin Forster (1961-) Australian botanist.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 25–50 cm tall, 1–1.5 mm diam., 2–3 -noded. Mid-culm
internodes glabrous. Mid-culm nodes glabrous. Lateral branches sparsely
branched. Leaf-sheaths scaberulous, glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of
hairs, 0.6 mm long. Leaf-blades straight, conduplicate or involute or
convolute, 7–14 cm long, 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous, glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle linear, 7–13 cm long, 1 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 3.5–4.5 mm long.
Glumes.
Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
1 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous. Lower glume apex mucronate. Upper
glume lanceolate, 3.2–4.2 mm long, membranous, 1 -nerved. Upper glume surface
glabrous. Upper glume apex entire, mucronate.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 2.5 mm long, without keel, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex awned, 3 -awned.
Median (principal) awn without a column. Lateral lemma awns present. Anthers 3.
Grain 2 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland:
Darling Downs.
Notes.
Growing with Triodia vella Lazarides.
Restricted
to type locality. Low open heath on shallow soil over sandstone. Flowering and
fruiting Apr.
