Enteropogon minutus Lazarides. Austral.
J. Bot. Supp. 5: 28 (1972).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia:
Queensland: Burke Dist: 4 mi E of Normanton, 6
Mar 1954, Lazarides 4288 (HT: CANB; IT: BRI, K, MEL, NSW,
NT, PERTH,
US).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3
(Fig. 48A, Fig. 49A-D).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, stature robust to moderate, 60–90 cm tall, 5–8 -noded.
Lateral branches branched. Leaves cauline. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate
membrane, 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, 5–15 cm long, 2–3.5 mm wide.
Leaf-blade surface scaberulous or scabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence digitate, with spicate branches.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile. Fertile spikelets 1 or more flowered, with 1 fertile floret,
comprising 1 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the apex,
lanceolate, laterally compressed, 3–3.5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, hyaline, without
keels, 1 -nerved. Lower glume apex muticous or mucronate. Upper glume
lanceolate, 3–4.4 mm long, hyaline, without keels, 1 -nerved. Upper glume apex
mucronate or awned.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 2.5–3.8 mm long, keeled, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex dentate, awned, 1
-awned. Median (principal) awn from a sinus, 8–14 mm long overall. Palea 2
-nerved. Grain 1.8–2.3 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory, Queensland.
Northern Territory: Darwin &
Gulf. Queensland:
Burke, Cook, Leichhardt.
Notes.
This species might be regarded as belonging to the E. acicularis
complex, owing to its wiry branched culms and flat, relatively broad, often
glaucous blades. However, the spikelets are the smallest for the genus.
Furthermore, the capillary long awn relative to the length of the lemma,
flaccid spikes, and presence of a contra-ligule are quite reliable diagnostic
characters.
NW
areas of Qld and adjacent parts of the N.T., mainly around the Gulf of Carpentaria but also inland. Occurs in sandy
soils of watercourses, flood flats and lagoons and their banks, occasionally in
heavier alluvial soils, with Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Melaleuca viridiflora
or other riverine species.
