Eriachne bleeseri Pilger. Notizbl.
Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 10: 113 (1927).
Classification.
(GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Micrairoideae. Eriachneae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: F.A.K. Bleeser 536, 20 Dec 1925,
Australia: Northern Territory: Darwin and Gulf District: Port Darwin (B; IT:
MEL-95275).
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.
25G-H).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect or geniculately ascending, stature slender to delicate,
15–42 cm tall, 2 -noded. Mid-culm internodes pubescent. Mid-culm nodes bearded.
Lateral branches simple. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades
curved or flexuous, filiform, conduplicate or involute, 10–23 cm long, 1–2 mm
wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle lanceolate, loose, 3–5 cm long,
0.5–1 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, both fertile, comprising 2
fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, ovate, laterally compressed, 6–8
mm long.
Glumes.
Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic or oblong,
membranous, much thinner on margins, without keels, 7 -nerved. Lower glume
surface glabrous. Lower glume apex muticous. Upper glume elliptic or oblong,
3–4.3 mm long, membranous, without keels, 7 -nerved. Upper glume surface
smooth, glabrous. Upper glume apex muticous.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 5–8 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented.
Lemma apex awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 1–1.5 mm long overall. Palea
2 -nerved. Palea apex entire or dentate, muticous. Lodicules present. Anthers
3. Grain 1 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory.
Northern Territory:
Darwin & Gulf.
Notes.
The narrow sparsely hirsute florets that are prominently longer than glumes,
aristulate lemmas, elongated peduncles, flexuose setaceous blades, and thin
pilose or hispid culms and leaves are distinctive features. Superficially, E.
bleeseri resembles E. melicacea and E. avenacea, but differs
from both in its fewer-nerved glumes and glabrous lemma margins.
Endemic.
N.T., apparently confined to the NW part N of 13ºS. Flowers June
(early-winter), and Sept.-Nov. (spring).
