Thaumastochloa monilifera

Thaumastochloa monilifera M.S.M. Sosef & R. de Koning. Gard. Bull. Sing. 36: 153 (1983).

Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.

Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: HT: L.J. Brass 19712, 27 Jul 1948, Australia: Queensland, Wenlock, Batavia river, 150 m (L).

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

Habit. Annual. Culms 35–70 cm tall, 5–9 -noded. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades linear, flat, 4–11 cm long, 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.

Inflorescence. Inflorescence solid, a rame (spicate). Rhachis fragile but the lowest internode fused to peduncle.

Spikelets. Spikelets sessile, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets pedicelled, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets represented by barren pedicels. Apical sterile spikelets rudimentary. 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, ovate, dorsally compressed, 1.6–3.5 mm long.

Glumes. Glumes dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, indurate, keeled, 2-keeled, 7 -nerved. Upper glume elliptic, coriaceous, without keels. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret hyaline.

Fertile lemma without keel, 0 -nerved. Anthers 3.

Continental Distribution: Australasia.

Australian Distribution: Northern Territory, Queensland.

Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf. Queensland: Cook.

 

AVH 2011


Notes. Dry sandy banks of gullies and roads in savanna. From coastal NE N.T. and Cape York Peninsular, Qld. Flowers Apr.--July.

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