Polytrias indica* (Houtt.) J.F. Veldkamp. Blumea 36: 180 (1991).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Phleum indicum
Houtt., Nat. Hist. 13: 198, pl. 90, f. 2 (1782).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Indonesia:
Java:, Herb. Houtteyn s.n. (HT: G).
Recent synonyms:
P. diversiflora, P. amaura.
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Habit.
Perennial. Culms prostrate, 10–40 cm tall. Mid-culm nodes pubescent. Lateral
branches branched. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane, 0.2 mm long.
Leaf-blades lanceolate, 2–7 cm long, 2–5 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a rame. Rhachis fragile at the nodes.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile and pedicelled, 3 in the cluster. 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, elliptic, dorsally compressed, 3–5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate or oblong, cartilaginous
or coriaceous, keeled, 2-keeled, 4–6 -nerved. Lower glume surface indumented.
Upper glume oblong, 4–5 mm long, without keels, 3 -nerved. Upper glume surface
indumented. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1.
Fertile lemma 0.7–2 mm
long, without keel, 1 -nerved. Lemma apex dentate, awned, 1 -awned. Median
(principal) awn from a sinus, 8–12 mm long overall, with a twisted column.
Palea absent.
Continental
Distribution: Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia, Pacific,
and South America.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland.
Queensland: Cook, Burke.
Notes. Malesia
to Qld. The three Australian collections are from the South Johnson Research
Station, Qld and it may be assumed they are naturalised introductions but for a
note on one of the specimens which mentions that the grass has been seen on
"more secluded areas of Palmerston". Pan-tropically introduced and
escaping. Used as a drought resistant lawn grass. Flowers Apr.--Jun. &
August.
