Austrostipa trichophylla (Benth.)
S.W.L.Jacobs & J.Everett. Telopea 6: 589 (1996).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Stipeae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Stipa
trichophylla Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 570 (1878).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: Drummond 122, Australia: Western
Australia (K (photo, CANB); IT: MEL-60010, MEL-60011).
Key references
(books and floras): [1878] G.Bentham, Flora Australiensis 7 (570 as Stipa
trichophylla), [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae
(179 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 (79), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses
of New South Wales (160), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia,
Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (49).
Illustrations:
[1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae,
[2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (79, Fig. 40), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs,
R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn
(160), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2
(24, Fig.2F-H).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 20–60 cm tall. Mid-culm nodes glabrous or pubescent.
Leaf-sheaths smooth or scaberulous, glabrous on surface or hairy. Ligule a
fringed membrane, a ciliate membrane, 0.5–1 mm long, membranous, obtuse.
Leaf-blades filiform, involute, 0.3–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle or a panicle. Panicle oblong, 13–26 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 10 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear, membranous, without
keels, 3 -nerved. Upper glume linear, 8–11.5 mm long, membranous, without
keels, 5 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 5–6 mm long, without keel. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma apex
lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 38–60(–75) mm long overall, with
a twisted column. Column 6–13 mm long. Palea without keels. Grain 2.3–3 mm
long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, New
South Wales, Victoria.
Western Australia:
Helms, Carnarvon, Austin. Eucla, Irwin, Menzies, Eyre, Roe, Avon, Coolgardie. Northern
Territory: Central Australia South. South Australia: North-western,
Lake Eyre, Gairdner-Torrens Basin, Flinders Ranges, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula,
Northern Lofty, Murray, Southern Lofty, South-eastern. New South Wales:
South-Western Plains, North Far Western Plains. Victoria: Lowan Mallee,
Midlands.
Notes. Scattered and
uncommon in the drier areas of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia,
Northern Territory and southern Western Australia.
