Ottochloa nodosa (Kunth) Dandy. J.
Bot. 69: 54 (1931).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Panicoideae. Paniceae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Panicum nodosum
Kunth, Enum. Pl. 1: 97 (1833); Panicum multinode J. Presl, Reliq.
Haenk. 1(4–5): 303 (1830), non Lam (1796).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Philippine Islands: Luzon: Sorsogon Prov., T.
Haenke s.n. (HT: US-80779).
Key references
(books and floras): [1969] E.E.Henty, Manual Grasses New Guinea
(137 & as O. fuscA), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass,
Grasses of Australia.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms decumbent, 20–200 cm tall, spongy. Ligule an eciliate
membrane, 0.2–0.6 mm long, truncate. Leaf-blades lanceolate, 1.5–20 cm long,
2–20 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Racemes 2–15 cm long. Central inflorescence
axis 10–20 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. 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, oblong, dorsally
compressed, 2.5–3.6 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, membranous, without
keels, 3–5 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate or ovate, 1.5–2.4 mm long, membranous,
without keels, 5–7 -nerved. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren,
without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret 100 % of length of
spikelet, membranous, 7 -nerved.
Fertile lemma 2.4–3.5
mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Palea 2 -nerved.
Continental
Distribution: Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, and Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland:
Cook, Moreton, North Kennedy, Port Curtis, South Kennedy, Wide Bay.
Notes.
Distinguished from O. gracillima by spikelet length. See comment on O.
gracillima regarding anatomical similarity.
Native to the tropics
of Asia and Australia. Qld. A poorly understood, widespread species, occurring
in shaded areas of tropical forests and woodlands of eastern Australia. Flowers
Jan.-May.
