Eragrostis hirticaulis M. Lazarides. Aust.
Syst. Bot. 10: 122 (1997).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia,
Northern Territory,
Katherine: Lazarides 6848 (CANB
holo, DNA, K).
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. 64C-E, Fig. 69C).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 40–50 cm tall, 4–6 -noded. Mid-culm internodes glabrous
or hirsute. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.2–0.3 mm long.
Leaf-blades curled, flat or involute, 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous,
indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle linear, 13–16 cm long, 1 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (13–16), comprising 0–1 basal sterile florets, comprising 13–16 fertile
floret(s), with diminished florets at the apex, lanceolate or ovate, laterally
compressed, 5.5–8 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume lanceolate or ovate, membranous or cartilaginous, keeled,
1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate or ovate, 1.5–2 mm long, membranous
or cartilaginous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Florets. Basal sterile
florets absent or 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile
floret 1–3 -nerved.
Fertile lemma 2–2.3 mm
long, keeled, 3 -nerved. Palea 2 -nerved. Anthers 3. Grain 0.3–0.5 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory.
Northern Territory: Darwin &
Gulf.
Notes.
Distinguishing characters include hirsute foliage and panicle divisions;
spiciform panicle; overlapping leaf sheaths; setaceous blades; chasmogamous and
cleistogamous florets; often reduced basal florets; semi-persistent thickened
rachilla; palea with scaberulous thickened keels and much-narrowed flaps, and
globoid caryopsis with free pericarp. Not obviosly allied to other members.
Endemic;
distribution is restricted to the Katherine area and Caranbirini Ck S of
Borroloola in the Gulf of Carpentaria. On
sandy soils near sandstone hills.; flowers Feb.-Mar. and June; fruits Feb.-Mar.
and June.
