Chrysopogon setifolius Stapf. Bull. Misc. Inform. 29 (1917).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: North Australia: Port Darwin, Schultz 661 (HT: K).
Key references (books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Habit. Perennial. Rhizomes present, short. Culms erect, 40–50 cm tall. Lateral branches simple. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades filiform, involute, 8–20 cm long, 0.75–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence compound, a panicle of rames. Panicle lanceolate, 7–12 cm long. Rhachis obsolete.
Spikelets. Spikelets sessile, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets pedicelled, 2 in the cluster. Companion spikelets developed, male, 5–8 mm long. Companion spikelet glumes muticous. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, the lower floret barren (rarely male), the upper fertile, comprising 1 basal sterile florets, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, linear or lanceolate, terete, 6–8 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, coriaceous, without keels, 9 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, coriaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 6–7 -nerved. Upper glume apex muticous. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret hyaline, 2 -nerved.
Fertile lemma 4–5 mm long, without keel, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex entire, muticous. Palea present or absent.
Continental Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland.
Western Australia: Gardner. Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf. Queensland: Cook.
Notes. A rare species from only a few localities in northern tropical Australia. Flowers Oct.-Dec.
