E. pulchella subsp pulchella
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia,
Queensland, New South Wales.
Notes. Eriachne pulchella subsp. pulchella
is distinguished by its slender short-lived habit, usually simple or sparsely
branched culms, compact leafy base, short flat stiff hispid blades, the
presence of prophylls, its dense panicles (usually 1–2 x 0.5–1 cm), relatively
large awnless spikelets (3–5 mm long), acute bearded often curved callus, and
flattened cuneate caryopsis. The indumentum of the floret is also distinctive.
The lemma is hirsute on the back in the lower part and ciliate upwards on the
submargins. Usually, the palea is pubescent between the keels, with the hairs
in the lower half and near the keels longer than those elsewhere.
Northern S.A., NW
N.S.W., and extending to 20ºS in W Qld, N.T. and W.A. A common plant of shallow
and skeletal soils on hillslopes, outcrops and terraces over laterite,
sandstone or granite, often in barren or scalded, stony or gravelly or pebbly
sites; also recorded from plains with deeper sandy or clayey loams, seepage
slopes, seasonal creek beds, and near salt lakes. In overlapping areas of
distribution, the two subspecies are sometimes ecologically sympatric. Over its
distribution range, flowers and fruits throughout the year.
