Nassella megapotamia* (Spreng. ex Trin.) M.E. Barkworth. Taxon 39: 610 (1990).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Stipeae.
Basionym and/or Replacement Name: Stipa megapotamia Spreng. ex Trin., Mem. Acad. Imp. Sci. St.-Petersbourg, Ser. 6, Sci. Math. 1(1): 77 (1830).
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: HT: [Sellow] [mis.] Otto, Brazil: ad Monte Video (LE-TRIN-1415.01 (& fig.)).
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 (305), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (66).
Illustrations: [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn (305), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (63, Fig 9), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (63, Fig 9).
Habit. Perennial. Rhizomes present, short. Culms erect or geniculately ascending, 50–150 cm tall. Mid-culm internodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 0.2–0.7 mm long, membranous, truncate. Leaf-blades flat or involute, 30–60 cm long, 3.5–14 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous, glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle 25–40 cm long.
Spikelets. Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, terete, 7–10 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, hyaline, without keels, 3 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 7–10 mm long, hyaline, without keels, 3 -nerved. Upper glume surface asperulous.
Florets. Fertile lemma 4–5 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma apex lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 30–50 mm long overall, with a twisted column. Column 30 mm long. Palea 0 -nerved, without keels. Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 2.7–3 mm long.
Continental Distribution: Australasia and South America.
Australian Distribution: New South Wales.
New South Wales: Southern Tablelands.
Notes. Native to S. America; apparently still confined to the Canberra region near its point of naturalisation.
