Nassella tenuissima*
(Trin.)Barkworth. Taxon 39: 612 (1990).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae.
Tribe Stipeae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Stipa
tenuissima Trin., Mem. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Petersbourg, Ser. 6, Sci.
Math., Seconde Pt. Sci. Nat. 4,2(1): 36 (1836).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: W.J. Hooker ex L. Gillies 11, 1835,
Argentina: Mendoza (LE-TRIN-1450.01 (& fig.); IT: US-866053 (fragm.)).
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 (65).
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).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms erect or geniculately ascending, 25–70 cm tall. Mid-culm
internodes glabrous. Lateral branches simple. Leaf-sheaths scaberulous,
glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 1.5–4 mm long, obtuse.
Leaf-blades aciculate, 7–40 cm long, 0.4–0.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface
scaberulous, glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Panicle linear, 10–25 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets comprising 1 fertile floret(s), with a
barren rachilla extension, lanceolate, laterally compressed, 5–10.5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume lanceolate, hyaline, without keels, 3 -nerved. Upper glume
lanceolate, hyaline, without keels, 3 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 1.8–3.6 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma surface glabrous.
Lemma apex awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 50–90 mm long overall, with
a straight or slightly twisted column. Palea 0 -nerved, without keels.
Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 1.5–2 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Africa, North America, and South America.
Australian
Distribution: New South Wales.
New South Wales:
Southern Tablelands.
