Eragrostis cassa M. Lazarides.
Aust. Syst. Bot. 10: 104 (1997).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia,
Queensland,
Lockerbie: Brass 18614 (CANB
holo, BRI).
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. 70M-O).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 60–80 cm tall, 5–6 -noded. Lateral branches simple or
sparsely branched. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs,
0.2 mm long. Leaf-blades straight, flat or involute or convolute, 1.5 mm wide.
Leaf-blade surface scaberulous, glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle elliptic, 16–32 cm long, 4–8 cm
wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (14–18), comprising 2 basal sterile florets, comprising 14–18 fertile
floret(s), with diminished florets at the apex, oblong or ovate, laterally
compressed, 5–7 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume ovate, membranous or cartilaginous, without keels or
keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume ovate, 1–1.4 mm long, membranous or
cartilaginous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Florets. Basal sterile
florets 2 or more, barren.
Fertile lemma 2 mm
long, keeled, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex
muticous. Palea 2 -nerved. Anthers 3. Grain 0.6–0.7 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland: Cook.
Notes.
Only known from the type.
Distinquishing characters include inflated
spikelet with a basal homogamous pair of persistent, infertile reduced florets;
tightly imbricate florets; persistent glumes; strongly curved lemmas as wide as
long; ovate-orbicular, pouched paleas and thickened keels with ciliolate wings.
The habit, panicle form and spikelet shape resemble those of E. paniciformis.
Endemic;
only known from Lockerbie, on the tip of Cape York Penin., Qld. On moist sandy
floodbanks.; flowers May; fruits May.
