Iseilema ciliatum C. E. Hubbard. Hooker's
Icon. Pl. t.3286: 6 (1935).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia,
Hughenden: Domin .
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Habit. Annual.
Culms erect, 15–35 cm tall. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane.
Leaf-blades conduplicate, 6–12 cm long, 2–3 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, composed of rames.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets pedicelled, 2 in the
cluster. Basal sterile spikelets well-developed, 4 in number. Companion
spikelets developed, male, 3–3.5 mm long. Companion spikelet glumes muticous.
Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, the lower floret barren (rarely male), the upper
fertile, comprising 1 basal sterile florets, comprising 1 fertile floret(s),
without rachilla extension, lanceolate, dorsally compressed, 7 mm long.
Glumes.
Glumes dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic, coriaceous,
without keels, 6 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous. Upper glume lanceolate,
coriaceous, 3 -nerved. Upper glume surface glabrous. Florets. Basal
sterile florets 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile
floret hyaline, 0 -nerved. Fertile florets female.
Fertile lemma 2–4 mm
long, 1 -nerved. Lemma apex dentate, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn
from a sinus, 18–22 mm long overall, with a twisted column. Column 1–1.2 mm
long. Palea absent. Anthers 3. Grain 3.5 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland.
Western Australia: Fitzgerald, Hall. Northern Territory: Victoria River.
Queensland:
Burke.
Notes.
Growing in cracking clay soils in isolated parts of tropical Australia.
Flowers Apr.--June
