Mnesithea annua (Lazarides) R. de Koning & M.S.M. Sosef. Blumea 31: 295
(1986).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Heteropholis
annua Lazarides, Nuytsia 5(2): 288, f. 1c-d, 7f. 1984 [1985].
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia: Western Australia, Mitchell Plateau, 12
km SW of mining camp, Camp Creek, Gauging Station, 14º53'10"S,
125º45'05"E, 3 May 1982, Kenneally 8219 (HT: CANB; IT: BRI, DNA, K
(photo, BRI), L, PERTH, US).
Recent synonyms:
Heteropholis annua.
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Habit. Annual.
Culms erect, stature robust to moderate, 100–200 cm tall, 5–10 mm diam.
Mid-culm nodes glabrous. Lateral branches branched. Ligule an eciliate
membrane, 1–2 mm long. Leaf-blades lanceolate, 30–60 cm long, 10–45 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a rame. Peduncle distinct. Rhachis fragile at the nodes.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets pedicelled, 1 in the
cluster. Companion spikelets developed, male, 7.5–8 mm long. 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, obovate, dorsally compressed, 4.5–5.5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume obovate, indurate, keeled,
2-keeled, winged on keel, winged narrowly, 11 -nerved. Upper glume oblong,
indurate, without keels, 2–3 -nerved. Upper glume surface indumented. Upper
glume apex mucronate. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without
significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret hyaline.
Fertile lemma without
keel, 2–3 -nerved. Anthers 3. Grain 3.5 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia.
Western
Australia: Gardner.
Notes.
Restricted to the Mitchell
Plateau in northern W.A.
Flowers Feb.--May.
