Rytidosperma diemenicum (D.I. Morris) A.M.
Humphreys & H.P. Linder. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. .
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Danthonioideae. Tribe
Danthonieae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Danthonia
diemenica D.I.Morris, Muelleria 7(2): 153–155, f. 5b, 6 (1989).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Tasmania: Ouse River-Wild Dog Plains, 1160 m,
streambanks-sandy alluvium till, erosion sites, 7 Jan 1983, A. Moscal 1292
(HT: HO-65782).
Recent synonyms:
Notodanthonia diemenica (D.I. Morris) H.P.Linder, Austrodanthonia
diemenica (D.F. Morris) H.P. Linder.
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Derivation: L. -ica,
belonging to. From Van Diemens Land, now Tasmania.
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes absent or present, short. Culms 6–53 cm tall, 4–5 -noded.
Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface or hairy. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.5 mm
long. Leaf-blades involute, 12–25 cm long, 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface
glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a panicle. Panicle lanceolate or ovate, 3–5 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (3–6), comprising 3–6 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, cuneate, laterally compressed, (10–)12–15(–18) mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
without keels, 3–5 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 10–18 mm long, membranous,
without keels, 3–5 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 2.4–3.3 mm long, without keel, 9 -nerved. Lemma apex lobed,
awned, 3 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a sinus, 11 mm long overall, with
a twisted column. Column 3–4 mm long. Lateral lemma awns present. Lodicules
present. Anthers 3. Grain 1.4–1.6 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Tasmania.
Tasmania: North
East, Central Highlands, Ben Lomond, East Coast, South West, Mt Wellington.
Notes.
Tasmanian endemic, altitude 900–1380 m, on rock slabs, in wet hollows in peat
on till, dry rock ledges and crevices, in skeletal soils, feldmark. Flowers
Dec. to Jan.