Eriachne sp. C (Dugald River, Simon 3007)
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Micrairoideae. Eriachneae.
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Habit. Annual
or ephemeral. Culms erect or geniculately ascending, stature slender to
delicate, 20–40 cm tall, 2–5 -noded. Mid-culm internodes hispid. Mid-culm nodes
pubescent. Lateral branches branched. Leaf-sheaths antrorsely scabrous, hairy.
Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.6–0.8 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, 0.5–3 cm long, 1–2
mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous, indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle lanceolate or ovate, 4–10 cm long,
2–4 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, both fertile, comprising 2
fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, ovate, laterally compressed, 2.5
mm long (excluding awn length).
Glumes.
Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, membranous, of
similar consistency on margins, without keels, 7–9 -nerved. Lower glume surface
glabrous. Lower glume apex muticous. Upper glume ovate, 2.5 mm long,
membranous, without keels, 7–9 -nerved. Upper glume surface smooth, glabrous.
Upper glume apex muticous or mucronate.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 2 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented.
Lemma apex awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 0.09–1.2 mm long overall.
Palea 2 -nerved. Palea apex entire. Lodicules present. Grain 1–1.2 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory, Queensland.
Northern Territory:
Darwin & Gulf, Victoria River. Queensland: Burke, North Kennedy,
South Kennedy.
