Panicum pygmaeum R. Br. Prodr. 191
(1810).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Panicoideae. Paniceae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: IT: R. Brown s.n., 1803–1805, Australia: New
South Wales (US-2830923 (fragm.)).
Key references
(books and floras): [1810]. R.Brown, Prodromus (197), [1878]
G.Bentham, Flora Australiensis 7 (484), [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 (317).
Illustrations:
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (317).
Habit. Perennial. Rhizomes absent. Stolons present. Culms decumbent,
stature slender to delicate, 8–29 cm tall, 2–5 -noded. Mid-culm internodes
glabrous. Mid-culm nodes glabrous or pubescent. Lateral branches sparsely
branched. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Leaf-sheath auricles absent. Ligule a fringe of
hairs, 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades spreading, linear or lanceolate, 1–4.5 cm long,
1–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth or scabrous, indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle ovate, 2–8 cm long, evenly
furnished.
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, lanceolate or
elliptic or ovate, dorsally compressed, 1.7–2.3 mm long. Rhachilla internodes
brief up to lowest fertile floret.
Glumes. Glumes
thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, membranous, without keels, 0
-nerved. Lower glume apex muticous. Upper glume elliptic or ovate, 1.7–1.9 mm
long, membranous, without keels, 5(–7) -nerved. Upper glume surface smooth or
asperulous. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without
significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret 100 % of length of spikelet,
membranous, 5 -nerved, mucronate.
Fertile lemma 1.5–1.9
mm long, without keel. Lemma apex mucronate. Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland, New South Wales.
Queensland:
Burnett, Darling Downs, Moreton, Wide Bay, Cook. New South Wales: North
Coast, Central Coast, Northern Tablelands.
Notes. In
tropical heaths, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll forests, dry
sclerophyll forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, and
temperate sub-humid woodlands. Flowers Jan.-May.
