Cynodon transvaalensis* Burtt Daly. Kew
Bull. 1921: 281 (1921).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: T: J.B. Davy 18156, Dec 1919, South Africa
(US-1295750 (fragm.)).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia,
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales (193).
Illustrations:
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (193).
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes present, elongated. Stolons present. Culms erect or
decumbent or prostrate, 4–15 cm tall, 0.2–0.5 mm diam. Ligule a fringed
membrane, a ciliolate membrane or a ciliate membrane, 0.1–0.3 mm long.
Leaf-blades filiform, involute, 1.2–4.7 cm long, 0.5–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade
surface glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence digitate, with spicate branches.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, ovate, laterally compressed, 2–2.7 mm
long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, herbaceous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 1.1–1.2 mm long,
herbaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 2–2.7 mm long, keeled, wingless, 3 -nerved. Palea 2 -nerved.
Continental
Distribution: Africa, Australasia, and North America.
Australian
Distribution: New South Wales, Victoria.
New
South Wales: Central
Coast, Central
Tablelands. Victoria:
Gippsland Plain.
Notes.
Used for bowling greens and golf courses, as it forms a close turf.
Established
on, and possibly escaped from, bowling greens and golf courses in NW Vic., and
SE Qld; naturalised at least in N.S.W.; indigenous to Transvaal; introduced as
a lawn grass to other parts of South Africa,
western U.S.A.
(where it has escaped in places). Found on creek frontages and alluvial soil in
isolated patches.
