Dimeria chloridiformis (Gaud.) K. Schum. & Lauterb. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Sudsee 165 (1901).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Basionym and/or Replacement Name: Andropogon chloridiformis Gaudich., Voy. Uranie 412 (1826).
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: HT: M.C. Gaudichaud s.n., Guam.
Recent synonyms: D. ciliata.
Key references (books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Habit. Perennial. Culms erect, 50–100 cm tall. Mid-culm nodes pubescent. Lateral branches simple. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane, 0.6–0.8 mm long. Leaf-blades 8–25 cm long, 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence digitate, with spicate branches. Central inflorescence axis 2–10 cm long.
Spikelets. Spikelets sessile. Companion spikelets absent. 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 or elliptic or oblong, laterally compressed, 4–5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear or lanceolate, membranous or chartaceous, much thinner on margins, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate or oblong, membranous or chartaceous or coriaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, wingless, 1 -nerved. Upper glume surface smooth. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret hyaline or membranous.
Fertile lemma 2.5–3 mm long, without keel, 1 -nerved. Lemma apex dentate or lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a sinus, 10–12 mm long overall, with a twisted column. Palea absent. Anthers 2.
Continental Distribution: Australasia and Pacific.
Australian Distribution: Northern Territory, Queensland.
Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf. Queensland: Cook, Burke.
Notes. Growing in wet areas in a few localities in northern N.T. and northern Qld. Extends through New Guinea to SE Asia and Pacific Ocean islands. Flowers Nov.--
Apr.
