Pentameris pallida* (Thunb.) Galley
& H.P. Linder. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard..
Classification.
(GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Danthonioideae. Tribe Danthonieae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Avena pallida
Thunb., Prodr. Pl. Cap. 22 (1794).
Recent synonyms: Pentaschistis pallida, P. thunbergii
auct.
Key references
(books and floras): [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1
Gramineae (54 as P.Thunbergii), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass,
Grasses of Australia, [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses
of South Australia (307).
Illustrations:
[2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (308, fig. 241).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 15–40 cm tall, 2–5 -noded. Lateral branches simple. Leaves
mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface or hairy. Ligule a fringe of
hairs. Leaf-blades 10 cm long, 5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle elliptic, 2–8 cm long, 1–7 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets, comprising 2 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, cuneate,
laterally compressed, 4–5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, shiny. Lower glume elliptic, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved.
Upper glume elliptic, 3–5 mm long, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved.
Upper glume surface smooth or asperulous.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 2–2.5 mm long, without keel, 5–9 -nerved. Lemma surface
indumented. Lemma apex dentate, awned, 3 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a
sinus, 6–7 mm long overall, with a twisted column. Lateral lemma awns present.
Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 1.4 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Africa and Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, South Australia.
Western Australia:
Drummond. South Australia: Northern Lofty, Murray, Southern Lofty,
South-eastern.
Notes.
Uncommon in West and South Australia, a weed introduced from South Africa, very
variable. Flowers Nov. to Dec.
