Austrostipa oligostachya (Hughes)
S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett. Telopea 6: 587 (1996).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Stipeae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Stipa
oligostachya Hughes, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1921: 12 (1921).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: Robertson 534, Australia: Victoria:
Wando Vale [as Wndu Vale], growing in tussocks (K).
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 (88), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae
2 (40).
Illustrations:
[2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (89, fig. 50), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.),
Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (55, Fig 8).
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes present, short. Culms 30–100 cm tall, 2 -noded. Mid-culm
nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface or hairy. Ligule a fringed
membrane, a ciliate membrane, 0.5–2 mm long, truncate. Leaf-blades curved,
filiform, involute or convolute, 12–20 cm long, 0.5–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade
surface smooth or scaberulous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle linear, 10–25 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 14 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
without keels, 3 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 10–15 mm long, membranous,
without keels, 5 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 9 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented.
Lemma apex dentate or lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a
sinus, 50–70 mm long overall, with a twisted column. Column 18–25 mm long.
Palea without keels. Grain 3–4 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: South Australia, Victoria.
South Australia:
Southern Lofty, South-eastern. Victoria: Grampians, Midlands, Volcanic
Plain, Wannon, Wimmera.
Notes. South western
Victoria and the Southern Lofty Region of South Australia.
