Austrostipa plumigera (Hughes)
S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett. Telopea 6: 588 (1996).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Stipeae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Stipa plumigera
Hughes, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1921: 20, f. 25 & 25A (1921).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: R. Helms s.n., 29 Jun 1891, Australia:
South Australia: Elder Exploring Expedition, Camp 10, 27.16S 130.04E (K;
IT(probable): AD-97434003, AD-97424088, MEL-59969, NSW-1513321, NSW-15121,
NSW-16019, NSW-16020, NSW-16021).
Key references
(books and floras): [1981] M.Lazarides in J.Jessop (ed)., Flora of
Central Australia (437 as Stipa), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass,
Grasses of Australia, [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses
of South Australia (99), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia,
Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (57).
Illustrations:
[2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (99, fig. 61), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.),
Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (18, fig.2I).
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes present, short. Culms 30–60 cm tall, 2–3 -noded. Mid-culm
nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliate
membrane, 0.5–2.5 mm long, truncate or acute. Leaf-blades flat, 15–35 cm long,
2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle or a panicle. Panicle linear, 10–20 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 20 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous, much
thinner above, without keels, 3 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 12–15 mm long,
membranous, without keels, 5 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 8 mm long, without keel. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma apex
lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 70–110 mm long overall, with a
twisted column. Column 20–26 mm long. Palea without keels. Grain 3.5–4 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, South Australia.
Western Australia:
Eucla. South Australia: North-western, Nullabor, Gairdner-Torrens Basin,
Eyre Peninsula.
Notes. Distinctive in the
entire awn being plumose, with hairs 0.5–1 mm long.
North-western South Australia and
the Nullarbor Plain, extending into Western Australia.
