Rytidosperma lepidopodum

Rytidosperma lepidopodum (N.G. Walsh) A.M.
Humphreys & H.P. Linder. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard..

Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Danthonioideae. Tribe
Danthonieae.

Basionym and/or
Replacement Name:
 Danthonia
lepidopoda
N.G. Walsh, Muelleria 7(3): 384 (1991).

Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information
: Australia: Victoria: South Belgrave, Bullens Land
Courtneys Rd, immediately N of Ash Reserve, 37,56.40S 145.20.45E, 15 Jan 1987, Walsh
1709
(HT: MEL; IT: BRI, NSW).

Recent synonyms:
Joycea lepidopoda (N.G. Walsh) H.P. Linder.

Key references
(books and floras):
[2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia
.

Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes present, elongated. Culms 25–70 cm tall. Ligule a fringe of
hairs, 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades involute, 7–15 cm long, 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade
surface glabrous or indumented.

Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a panicle. Panicle linear or ovate, 5–8 cm long.

Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (3–5), comprising 3–5 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, cuneate, laterally compressed, 10–15 mm long.

Glumes. Glumes
similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, membranous,
without keels, 3–5 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 8–14 mm long, membranous,
without keels.

Florets. Fertile
lemma 3.4–9 mm long, without keel. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma apex lobed,
awned, 1 -awned or 3 -awned. Median (principal) awn from a sinus, 10–15 mm long
overall, with a twisted column. Column 2–3.5 mm long. Lateral lemma awns absent
or present. Lodicules present. Anthers 3.

Continental
Distribution
: Australasia.

Australian
Distribution
: Victoria.

Victoria:
Eastern Highlands, Gippsland Plain, Grampians, Otway Plain, Otway Range.

Notes.
Very distinctive due to its spreading rhizomes.

Restricted
to a narrow belt from the Grampians to the coast west of Melbourne, Victoria,
in heathland or lightly shaded woodland on sandy or gritty soils. Flowers Jan.

AVH 2011

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith