Holcus mollis*
Linn. Syst. Nat. 10th edn, 2: 1305 (1759).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Poeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: LT: (LINN-1212.9). LT designated by Cope in
Cafferty et al., Taxon 49(2): 251 (2000).
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 (275), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2
(139).
Illustrations:
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (275).
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes present. Culms erect or geniculately ascending or
decumbent, 20–110 cm tall, 4–7 -noded. Mid-culm internodes glabrous. Mid-culm
nodes bearded. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 1–5 mm long,
abaxially hairy, erose, obtuse. Leaf-blades 4–20 cm long, 3–12 mm wide.
Leaf-blade surface glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle oblong or ovate, dense or loose,
4–12(–22) cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1 or more flowered, with 1 fertile
floret, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the apex,
elliptic, laterally compressed, (3.5–)5–7 mm long. Rhachilla internodes
elongated below proximal fertile floret.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, chartaceous,
keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Lower glume apex muticous. Upper glume elliptic,
(3.5–)5–7 mm long, chartaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Upper glume
surface asperulous, indumented. Upper glume apex muticous or mucronate.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 2–3 mm long, keeled, 5 -nerved. Lemma surface glabrous or
indumented. Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Europe, Africa, Tropical Asia, Australasia, and North America.
Australian
Distribution: New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania.
New
South Wales: Central
Coast, Central Tablelands.
Victoria:
Gippsland Highlands. Tasmania: North West.
Notes.
Introduced. Known only from Tewkesbury, NW Tas., occasionala in Vic. and the
central coast and central tablelands, N.S.W. Native of Europe.
A weed of damp areas. Flowers Dec.-Feb.
