Austrostipa lanata (Vickery, S.W.L.Jacobs
& J.Everett) S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett. Telopea 6: 586 (1996).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Stipeae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Stipa lanata Vickery,
S.W.L. Jacobs & J. Everett, Telopea 3(1): 68 (1986).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Western Australia: 7 mi [11 km] N of Mundrabilla
Homestead, foud growing on gently undulating calcareous plain up to height of
45 cm in a herbfield, 31 Jul 1974, Mitchell 2 (HT: PERTH).
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 (84), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae
2 (28).
Illustrations:
[2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (84, fig. 45), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.),
Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (55, Fig 8).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 45 cm tall, 1–2 mm diam., 1–2 -noded. Mid-culm internodes
pubescent. Mid-culm nodes pubescent. Lateral branches simple. Leaf-sheaths
glabrous on surface or hairy. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane,
0.4–1.5 mm long, truncate. Leaf-blades flat or involute, 20 cm long, 1.5–4 mm
wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle linear, 10–15 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, linear, terete, 19–26 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
without keels, 3 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 14–19 mm long, membranous,
without keels, 5 -nerved. Upper glume surface smooth.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 6.5–8 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma surface glabrous.
Lemma apex entire, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 65–80 mm long
overall, with a twisted column. Column 10–30 mm long. Palea 2 -nerved, without
keels. Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 4 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, South Australia.
Western Australia:
Eucla. South Australia: Gairdner-Torrens Basin, Eastern.
Notes. Arid regions of
southern Western Australia and central and western South Australia.
