Micraira inserta M. Lazarides. Nuytsia 5:
292 (1984).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Micrairoideae. Micraireae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia:
Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf
District: Mt. Gilruth, 13.04S,133.05E, Dunlop 4427
(HT: CANB; IT: BRI, DNA, K, NT).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms prostrate, 1 cm tall, 0.5–0.8 mm diam. Leaves cauline.
Leaf-sheaths smooth, glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringed membrane or a fringe
of hairs, a ciliate membrane, 0.3–0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 0.5–0.6 cm long,
0.3–0.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous or papillose, glabrous or
indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle oblong, 0.3–0.4 cm long, 0.1 cm
wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, both fertile, comprising 2
fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, oblong, laterally compressed, 1
mm long.
Glumes.
Glumes similar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong or ovate,
membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1–3 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous. Upper
glume oblong or ovate, 1 mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1(–3) -nerved.
Upper glume surface glabrous.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 0.5 mm long, keeled, 1 -nerved. Lemma apex erose or dentate.
Palea 2 -nerved. Palea apex divided to base. Lodicules absent or vestigial.
Anthers 2.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Northern Territory.
Northern Territory: Darwin &
Gulf.
Notes.
The spiciform inflorescence, a feature also of M. compacta, M. spiciforma and
M. subspicata is, in contrast to those species, much shorter than the upper
leaves and often scarcely visible among the foliage. Also, there are
differences in the morphology and nervation of glumes and lemmas, structure of
blades and ligule, and indumentum of the keels, which distinguish the four
species.
Known only from the
type locality on the Arnhem Land Plateau, N.T.; grows on summit of escarpment
on rippled sandstone rock in shallow seasonal water. Flowers February.
