Panicum queenslandicum Domin. Repert.
Spec. Nov. Regni Veg 10: 58 (1911).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Panicoideae. Paniceae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: Hartmann in Herb. von Mueller, 1877,
(PR; IT: K).
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 (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 absent. Culms erect, 30–80 cm
tall, 3–6 -noded. Mid-culm internodes glabrous. Mid-culm nodes glabrous.
Lateral branches simple or sparsely branched. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface.
Leaf-sheath auricles absent. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 1 mm long. Leaf-blades
linear, convolute, 10–35 cm long, 1–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth or
scabrous, glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle ovate, 10–35 cm long, with spikelets
clustered towards branch tips.
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
ovate, dorsally compressed, 3–7 mm long. Rhachilla internodes elongated between
glumes.
Glumes. Glumes
thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate or ovate, membranous,
without keels, 3–5 -nerved. Lower glume apex muticous or mucronate. Upper glume
lanceolate or ovate, 3.3–4.8 mm long, membranous, without keels, 7 -nerved. Florets.
Basal sterile florets 1, barren, with palea or without significant palea. Lemma
of lower sterile floret 100 % of length of spikelet, membranous, 7 -nerved,
muticous.
Fertile lemma 2.3–3.5
mm long, without keel. Lemma apex muticous. Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Tropical Asia and Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria.
Queensland:
Burke, Burnett, Darling Downs, Leichhardt, Maranoa, Mitchell, Moreton, Port Curtis,
Warrego, North Kennedy. New South Wales: North Coast, Central Coast,
Northern Tablelands, North-Western Slopes, Central-Western Slopes,
North-Western Plains, South-Western Plains.
Notes.
Diagnostic features of this interesting species include the digitate lowermost
primary branches, upper floret with a minute stipe, and the protruding base of
the upper palea. A minute flat stipe can frequently be observed, this structure
and the protruding palea suggest an affinity with Yakirra and Ichnanthus.
Infra-specific taxa: var. queenslandicum, var. acuminatum.
Spikelets 3–4.5 mm
long; fertile floret 2.5–2.75 mm long P. queenslandicum var. queenslandicum
Spikelets 5–7 mm long;
fertile floret 3–3.5 mm long P. queenslandicum var. acuminatum
.
