Hierochloë rariflora Hook. f. Fl. Antarct. 1: 93 (1844).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Poeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: Hooker s.n., Australia (K).
Key references
(books and floras): [1878] G.Bentham, Flora Australiensis 7 (559),
[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
(274), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2
(143).
Illustrations:
[1984] N.T.Burbidge. rev. S.W.L.Jacobs, Australian Grasses (153), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley
& D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn (274), [2009].
A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia
44A: Poaceae 2 (148, Fig.22).
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes absent or present, short. Culms geniculately ascending or
decumbent, stature robust to moderate or slender to delicate, 27–100 cm tall,
wiry, 5–10 -noded. Lateral branches branched. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 1 mm
long, truncate or obtuse. Leaf-blades flat or convolute, 7.5–43.5 cm long,
2–10.8 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle pyramidal, 3–14.5 cm long, 3–8 cm
wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1 or more flowered, with 1 fertile
floret, comprising 2 basal sterile florets, comprising 1 fertile floret(s),
without rachilla extension, ovate, laterally compressed, 4–6 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma, shiny. Lower glume ovate, herbaceous,
without keels or keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Upper glume oblate, 2.5–4.7 mm
long, herbaceous, without keels or keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Florets.
Basal sterile florets 2 or more, male, with palea. Lemma of lower sterile
floret 100 % of length of spikelet, membranous, 1-keeled, 5 -nerved, muticous.
Lemma of upper sterile floret entire or erose, muticous.
Fertile
lemma 3.2–5 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma apex muticous. Palea 1 -nerved,
1-keeled. Lodicules present. Anthers 2 (bisexual) or 3 (male).
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria,
Tasmania.
Queensland: Moreton. New South Wales: North
Coast, South Coast,
Northern Tablelands, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands. Victoria:
East Gippsland, Eastern Highlands, Gippsland
Plain. Tasmania:
North East, East Coast.
Notes.
The type is said to be from West Australia, King George's Sound, Baxter,
but Bentham (Fl. Austral. 7: 559 (1878)) suggested `coast of Victoria'. The species
is not recorded in W.A.
Endemic. Commonly in
shaded, rocky habitats. Flowers July-Dec.(-Feb.).
