Eragrostis sterilis Domin. Biblioth.
Bot. 85: 403 (1915).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Queensland:
Sandhügel der Dividing Range östlich von Jericho,
Mar 1909, Domin s.n..
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 (257).
Illustrations:
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (257).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, 60–90 cm tall. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.2–0.3 mm
long. Leaf-blades straight, involute or convolute, 10–16 cm long, 1–2 mm wide.
Leaf-blade surface glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle oblong or pyramidal, 10–27 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (13–85), comprising 13–85 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at
the apex, linear or oblong, laterally compressed, 5.5–30 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper
glume lanceolate, 1.5–2 mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved.
Florets. Fertile
lemma 1.5–2.2 mm long, keeled, 3 -nerved. Lemma apex muticous. Lodicules
present. Anthers 2–3. Grain 0.6 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales.
Northern
Territory: Central Australia
South. Queensland:
Burke, Leichhardt, North Kennedy, Cook, Mitchell. New South Wales: North-Western
Plains.
Notes.
Distinguishing characters include palea short relative to lemma, the keels
almost entirely scaberulous; turgid ellipsoid caryopsis; anthers usually two;
unequal glumes; linear spikelets, with many closely imbricate florets, and
stout persistent flexuose rachilla; interrupted panicle, with much-divided
spreading or reflexed branches entirely spikelet- bearing; leaf sheaths wider than
blades, tight on culms, with broad thin margins and long- bearded orifice.
Endemic;
occurs in southern N.T. around Uluru Natl Park, the Hughenden area and Emerald
to Rockhampton, Qld, and near Narrabri, N.S.W. Sands and sandy loams, often
near watercourses and waterholes.; flowers Feb., Apr.-June, Sept., Nov.; fruits
Feb., Apr.-June, Sept., Nov.
