Coix gasteenii B.K. Simon. Austrobaileya 3: 1 (1989).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: HT: J.R. Clarkson & B.K. Simon 7215, 13 May 1987, Australia: Queensland: Cook Dist.: Lakefield National Park, 15º18'S, 144º36'E, Cabbage Tree Creek, 19 km E of Old Laura on road to Cooktown 70 m. (BRI; IT: DNA, K, L, MBA, MEL, MO, NSW, PERTH, PRE, QRS, SP, US-3189885, US-3189886).
Key references (books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Habit. Perennial. Rhizomes present, elongated. Culms 100–180 cm tall. Leaves cauline. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades 9–150 cm long, 10–23 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface papillose.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence compound, a panicle of rames. Rhachis obsolete.
Spikelets. Spikelets sessile, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets pedicelled, 2 in the cluster. Male spikelets sessile and pedicelled, 3 in a cluster. Companion spikelets represented by barren pedicels. 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, ovate, dorsally compressed, 7–9 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes dissimilar, similar to fertile lemma in texture. Lower glume ovate, membranous, firmer above, without keels. Upper glume ovate, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret 100 % of length of spikelet, membranous, firmer above. Fertile florets female.
Fertile lemma 6–7 mm long, keeled. Palea 2 -nerved, without keels. Anthers 3. Grain 4–5 mm long.
Continental Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland: Cook.
Notes. Known from only two collections from Lakefield National Park, Cape York Peninsula. This species differs considerably from C.lacryma-jobi in the method in which the male and female racemes are arranged. Flowers May.
