Sporobolus blakei B.K.Simon. Austrobaileya 4: 57 (1993).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Chloridoideae. Cynodonteae.
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: HT: P.K. Latz 2483, 20 Apr 1972, Australia: Northern Territory: Central Southern Div.: Redbank Gorge (BRI; IT: AD, CANB, DNA).
Key references (books and floras): [1878] G.Bentham, Flora Australiensis 7 (622 as Sporobolus indicus p.p.), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia, [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (398), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales (376).
Illustrations: [2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3 (Fig. 62), [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (398, fig. 330), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn (376).
Habit. Perennial. Culms erect, 40–80 cm tall, 2–3 -noded. Mid-culm internodes glabrous or pubescent. Lateral branches simple. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades linear, flat or convolute, 15–30 cm long, 2–3 mm wide.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence solid, a panicle. Panicle linear, 15–32 cm long, 1–2 cm wide, contracted about primary branches.
Spikelets. Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, elliptic, terete, 1.5–1.8 mm long.
Glumes. Lower glume oblong or ovate, membranous, without keels, 0 -nerved. Upper glume elliptic or ovate, 0.9–1.1 mm long, membranous, without keels, 1 -nerved.
Florets. Fertile lemma 0.9–1.8 mm long, keeled, 1 -nerved. Palea 2 -nerved. Palea apex entire. Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 0.9 mm long.
Continental Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales.
Western Australia: Fitzgerald. Giles, Helms, Carnarvon, Austin. Northern Territory: Central Australia North, Central Australia South. South Australia: North-western, Lake Eyre. Queensland: Warrego. New South Wales: North Far Western Plains.
Notes. Morphologically similar to S. elongatus, differing by its distinctly fibrous base.
Endemic; fairly widely distributed in the arid regions, mainly in central Australia. Found in or near places of accumulated moisture, creek beds, moisture depressions and watercourses. It is a resurrection grass, reviving after dehydration (Lazarides (1992) as Sporobolus species undescribed; flowers all year, in response to rain.
