Oryza meridionalis Ng. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 82: 328 (1981).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Ehrhartoideae. Tribe Oryzeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia, Darwin: IRRI 101147 (K holo).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae
2 (366).
Illustrations:
[2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (363,
Fig. 49).
Habit. Annual
or perennial. Culms erect or geniculately ascending, 100–200 cm tall. Ligule an
eciliate membrane, acute. Leaf-blades 18–30 cm long, 9–12 mm wide. Leaf-blade
surface scabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle 11–24 cm long.
Spikelets.
Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), 6.5–8.9 mm long.
Glumes. Upper
glume 0.3–0.4 mm long. Florets. Basal sterile florets 2 or more. Lemma
of lower sterile floret 10 % of length of spikelet.
Fertile lemma 6.9–8 mm
long, 5 -nerved. Lemma apex awned. Median (principal) awn 60–120 mm long
overall. Lodicules present. Grain 6–6.4(–8.3) mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland.
Western Australia:
Gardner. Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf. Queensland: Cook.
Notes.
Endemic. In swamps, shallow water or seasonal swamps.
