Eragrostis subtilis M. Lazarides. Austral. Syst. Bot. 10: 155 (1997).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia,
Northern Territory, Napperby Station: Latz 2269 (CANB holo, BRI, DNA, K, NSW, 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. 64K-L).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect, stature slender to delicate, 50–60 cm tall, 4–5 -noded.
Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.8–1 mm long. Leaf-blades straight, filiform,
involute or convolute, 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous, indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle ovate, loose or effuse, 20–30 cm
long, 7–14 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (9–11), comprising 9–11 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at
the apex, linear, terete, 4–4.5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume linear or lanceolate, hyaline or membranous, without keels
or keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 0.8–1 mm long, hyaline
or membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 0.9–1 mm long, keeled, 1–3 -nerved. Lemma apex muticous. Palea 2 -nerved. Anthers
3. Grain 0.4–0.5 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory.
Northern
Territory: Central Australia North, Central
Australia South.
Notes.
Distinguishing characters include filiform culms, leaves and spikelets; hirsute
rootbase; stiffly bearded orifice; hairy tightly involute blades with capillary
apex; open panicle, with stiffly spreading spikelets; biconvex, linear paleas
with smooth, short keels and narrow flaps; minute anthers, and dorsally
compressed caryopsis.
Endemic;
occurs in central N.T. around Napperby and Willowra Stns NW of Alice Springs.
Red sands, earths and loams, calcareous soil near creek, and scalded, saline,
alluvial valley floor near bore.; flowers Dec.-Jan., Apr., June; fruits
Dec.-Jan., Apr., June.
