Leersia oryzoides* (L.) Sw. Nov. Gen. Sp. Pl. Prodr. 21 (1788).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Ehrhartoideae. Tribe Oryzeae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Phalaris
oryzoides L., Sp. Pl.
1: 55 (1753).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: LT: Clayton s.n., USA:
Virginia,
"5. oryzoides" (LINN-78.10). LT designated by Hitchcock, Contr.
U.S. Natl. Herb. 12: 115 (1908).
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 (292), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2
(361).
Illustrations:
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (292).
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes present, elongated. Culms erect or geniculately ascending
or decumbent, 30–150 cm tall. Mid-culm nodes pubescent. Lateral branches
branched. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 0.5–1.5 mm long, truncate. Leaf-blades
3–30 cm long, 3–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle elliptic or oblong, 10–22 cm long,
5–14 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, elliptic, laterally compressed, 4–8 mm
long.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 4–8 mm long, keeled, 5 -nerved. Lemma apex mucronate. Palea
present, 3 -nerved, 1-keeled. Palea apex entire. Lodicules present. Anthers
2–3.
Continental
Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia,
and North America.
Australian Distribution:
New South Wales, Victoria.
New South Wales: South-Western
Plains. Victoria: Gippsland Plain, Midlands.
Notes.
Introduced. Native of North America, Europe and Japan. At the edge of streams
subject to seasonal inundation; a weed. Flowers Mar.
