Spinifex x alterniflorus Nees. Pl. Preiss. 2: 96 (1846).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Paniceae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia: Swan River, Preiss 1883 (IT:
MEL).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, [2002] J.Wheeler, N.Marchant & M.Lewington, Flora of the
South West (435).
Habit.
Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface or hairy. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 4–7 mm
long. Leaf-blades 25–43 cm long, 1.5–3 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence digitate, with racemose branches.
Spikelets.
Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, the lower floret barren (rarely male), the upper
fertile, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), 9–10 mm long.
Glumes.
Lower glume ovate or cuneate, 5–7 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous. Upper
glume 7.5–8.5 mm long, 7 -nerved. Upper glume surface glabrous or indumented. Florets.
Basal sterile florets 1. Lemma of lower sterile floret 5 -nerved. Fertile
florets bisexual or female.
Fertile lemma 8.5–9.7
mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia.
Western Australia:
Drummond, Warren.
Notes. A
naturally occurring hybrid between S. longifolius and S. hirsutus.
Reported only from
City Beach and Floreat Beach near Perth and at Kwinana, Woodman Point, Warnbro,
Preston Beach and Leschenault Peninsula. Flowers Sept.-Oct.
