Digitaria minima R.D. Webster. Brunonia 6(2): 192–193. 1983 [1984].
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Paniceae.
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: Australia: Queensland: South Kennedy Dist., Simon 3270 (HT: BRI).
Key references (books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Habit. Perennial. Rhizomes present, elongated. Stolons absent. Culms erect, 30–60 cm tall, 3–6 -noded. Mid-culm internodes glabrous. Mid-culm nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths antrorsely scabrous, glabrous on surface. Leaf-sheath auricles absent. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 0.45–0.75 mm long, erose, obtuse. Leaf-blades spreading or recurved, flat, 0.5–5.7 cm long, 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth or scabrous, glabrous.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence digitate, a panicle of racemes. Racemes 2, ascending, 0.7–3.5 cm long, bearing 8–20 fertile spikelets on each. Central inflorescence axis 1.5–3 cm long.
Spikelets. Spikelets pedicelled, 2 in the cluster. 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, elliptic, dorsally compressed, 1.2–1.55 mm long. Rhachilla internodes brief up to lowest fertile floret.
Glumes. Glumes thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong or ovate, membranous, 0 -nerved. Upper glume elliptic, 1–1.3 mm long, membranous, without keels, 3 -nerved. Upper glume surface glabrous or indumented. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret 100 % of length of spikelet, membranous, 3–7 -nerved.
Fertile lemma 1.2–1.55 mm long, without keel. Lemma apex mucronate. Lodicules present.
Continental Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland: Cook, North Kennedy, South Kennedy, Port Curtis, Burnett, Moreton.
Notes. This species is closely related to both D. ramularis and D. diffusa. It differs from D.ramularis in having smaller spikelets , while a relativley short upper glume, erect culm and muricate upper lemma separate it from D. diffusa.
In tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, temperate sub-humid woodlands, semi-arid shrub woodlands, and arid and semi-arid low woodlands. Flowers Mar.-Apr.
