Iseilema holmesii S. T. Blake. Univ.
Qd. Pap. Dept. Biol. 2(3): 59 (1944).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae.
Andropogoneae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia,
Kunmunya Mission: Holmes (BRI
holo, MEL).
Key references
(books and floras): [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western
Australia 1 Gramineae (348 & as I. filipes),
[2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Illustrations:
[1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia
1 Gramineae (349, Pl. 102 & as I.
filipes).
Habit. Annual.
Culms erect, stature slender to delicate, 20–40 cm tall, 1–2 -noded. Mid-culm
nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringed membrane, a
ciliate membrane, 0.6–0.8 mm long. Leaf-blades flat or conduplicate, 6–30 cm
long, 4–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.
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, containing empty lemmas, 3.2–5 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,
4–5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic, coriaceous,
without keels, 3–6 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, coriaceous, 3 -nerved. Florets.
Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower
sterile floret hyaline. Fertile florets female.
Fertile lemma 3–5 mm
long, 1 -nerved. Lemma apex entire, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn
12–24 mm long overall, with a twisted column. Column 12–14 mm long. Palea
absent. Anthers 3. Grain 2.5–3 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia.
Notes. Growing
in skeletal soil in basalt country, on heavy textured soils and stony creek bed
of the northern Kimberley,
W.A.. Flowers Mar.--June.
