Eragrostis pubescens (R.Br.) Steud. Syn. Pl. Glum. 1:297(1854).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Poa pubescens
R. Br., Prodr. 181 (1812).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: T: R. Brown 6272, 1802–1805, Australia:
"Iter australiense".
Recent synonyms:
Eragrostis stricta.
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia,
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales (256).
Illustrations:
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (256).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect or sprawling, 40–80 cm tall, wiry. Leaf-sheaths glabrous
on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.2–0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades straight,
flat or involute, 7–15 cm long, 2–5.5 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle lanceolate, 5–85 cm long, contracted
about primary branches.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (6–89), comprising 6–89 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at
the apex, linear or lanceolate, laterally compressed, 8–50 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper
glume lanceolate, 1.8–3 mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 1.9–4 mm long, keeled, 3–5 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma apex muticous.
Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 5 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Tropical Asia and Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland,
New South Wales.
Western
Australia: Gardner.
Northern Territory:
Darwin & Gulf. Queensland: Burke,
Cook, Moreton, North Kennedy, Port Curtis, South Kennedy, Wide
Bay, Darling Downs,
Mitchell. New South Wales: North Coast.
Notes.
E. brownii var. pubescens Bailey was published without reference
to E. pubescens (R.Br.) Steud. or Poa pubescens R.Br.
Distinguishing characters include trigonous
caryopsis with free pericarp; lemmas 3–5-nerved, the lateral nerves sometimes
very short; unequal glumes, the upper often long relative to lemma; spikelets
with closely imbricate upwards maturing florets; panicle large, open,
interrupted, often with hairy axis and divisions; leaves often hairy; habit
sprawling.
Distribution
is from the Prince Regent R. area, W.A., across northern N.T., and then the E
coast from the tip of Cape York Penin., Qld, inland to Chillagoe and then S to
Grafton in northern N.S.W. Also recorded from near Boulia and St George in W
and S Qld.; also occurs in Papua New Guinea
and the Moluccas. Chiefly in sandy loam, often
alluvial soils; on river levees, margins of swamps, coastal flats and dunes,
and in broad shallow depressions; sometimes associated with granite, sandstone
or laterite.; flowers all year round but not recorded for Nov.; fruits all year
round but not recorded for Nov.
