Eragrostis crateriformis M. Lazarides. Austral. Syst. Bot. 10: 108 (1997).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia,
Northern Territory, Gurner Station: Latz
2106 (CANB holo, AD, BRI, DNA, PERTH).
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. 71I-K).
Habit. Annual.
Culms erect or geniculately ascending or decumbent, 17–42 cm tall, 2–3 -noded.
Lateral branches branched. Leaf-sheaths smooth, glabrous on surface. Ligule a
fringe of hairs, 1–3 mm long. Leaf-blades straight, flat or involute or
convolute, 1–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous, glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle or a panicle. Panicle elliptic, 10–15 cm
long, 2–10 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (8–14), comprising 8–14 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at
the apex, linear, laterally compressed, 2.7–4.3 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume linear or ovate, hyaline or membranous, without keels, 0
-nerved. Upper glume oblong or ovate, 0.7–1 mm long, hyaline or membranous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 1(–3) -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 0.8–1 mm long, keeled, (1–)3 -nerved. Lemma apex muticous. Palea 2 -nerved. Palea
apex dentate. Anthers 3. Grain 0.3–0.4 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory.
Western Australia: Mueller, Fortescue, Carnarvon. Northern Territory: Central Australia North, Central Australia South.
Notes.
Distinquishing characters include dissimilar glumes with asymetrical nervation;
glandular culms and panicle divisions; deciduous florets; 3-lobed palea with
smooth keels shorter than body flaps; turgid caryopsis; 1–3-nerved lemma;
divergent lemma and palea, and vestigial terminal floret. A distinctive species
with some similarities with E. pilosa.
Endemic;
occurs in W.A. on Yanrey Stn near Onslow, Warralong Stn, and Balgo Hills near
the border, also in N.T. NW of Alice Springs. Clayey-loam and brown clay run-on
flats and depressions, creek banks.; flowers Jan.-Mar., May, July; fruits
Jan.-Mar., May, July.
