Monodia stipoides S.W.L. Jacobs. Kew Bull. 40: 659 (1985).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Chloridoideae. Triodeae.
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: Australia: Western Australia: Mitchell River, 40º50'S, 125º42'E, 22 Sep 1980, C.R. Dunlop 5233 (HT: CANB; IT: NRI, DNA, NT, PERTH).
Key references (books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Habit. Perennial. Culms erect, 50–150 cm tall, 3 mm diam., 2(–3) -noded. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 2–3 mm long. Leaf-blades conduplicate, 30–60 cm long, 2 mm wide.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence solid, a panicle. Panicle linear, 20–50 cm long.
Spikelets. Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), with a barren rachilla extension, linear, terete, 16–24 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, scarious, without keels, 9–11 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 14–18 mm long, scarious, without keels, 3–5 -nerved.
Florets. Fertile lemma 8–12 mm long, without keel, 3 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma apex lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a sinus, 50–60 mm long overall. Palea 2 -nerved. Lodicules present. Anthers 3.
Continental Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Western Australia.
Western Australia: Gardner.
Notes. Mitchell Plateau escarpment, Kimberley region, northern W.A., and on the seaward side, towards Admiralty Gulf. Occurs on sandstone areas of the escarpment, and in near coastal grassland exposed to salt laden winds.
