Austrostipa mollis (R.Br.) S.W.L.Jacobs
& J.Everett. Telopea 6: 587 (1996).
Classification.
(GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Stipeae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Stipa mollis R.
Br., Prodr. 174 (1810).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: R. Brown 6205, 1802–1805, Australia
(BM(photo, CANB); IT: K).
Key references
(books and floras): [1810]. R.Brown, Prodromus (174 as Stipa),
[2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia, [2002]
J.Wheeler, N.Marchant & M.Lewington, Flora of the South West (403), [2006]
J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (102),
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales (155), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae
2 (17).
Illustrations:
[2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (103, fig. 65), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs,
R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn
(155), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2
(18, fig.2D).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 30–150 cm tall, 1–3.5 mm diam., 3–6 -noded. Mid-culm
internodes pubescent. Mid-culm nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths smooth, hairy.
Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane, 0.03–3 mm long, membranous,
abaxially pilose, truncate. Leaf-blades involute, 15–45 cm long, 1.5–3 mm wide.
Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle elliptic, 10–30 cm long, 5 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 17.4–23 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous, much
thinner above, without keels, 3 -nerved. Lower glume surface indumented. Upper
glume lanceolate, 15–21 mm long, membranous, without keels, 5–7 -nerved. Upper
glume surface indumented.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 6.6–10.5 mm long, without keel. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma
apex awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 45–100 mm long overall, with a
twisted column. Column 16.5–35 mm long. Palea without keels. Lodicules present.
Anthers 3. Grain 4 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales,
Victoria, Tasmania.
Western Australia:
Menzies, Eyre, Avon. South Australia: Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula,
Northern Lofty, Murray, Yorke Peninsula, Southern Lofty, Kangaroo Island,
South-eastern. New South Wales: Central Coast, South Coast, Northern
Tablelands, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central-Western Slopes,
South-Western Slopes. Victoria: East Gippsland, Eastern Highlands,
Gippsland Plain, Grampians, Lowan Mallee, Midlands, Murray Mallee, Otway Plain,
Otway Range, Wilsons Promontory, Riverina, Volcanic Plain, Wannon, Wimmera. Tasmania:
North West, North East, Midlands, Ben Lomond, East Coast.
Notes. Widespread on sandy
and/or low nutrient soils of the southern States, including New South Wales.
