Thaumastochloa rariflora (F. M. Bailey) C.E.Hubb. Hooker's Icon. Pl. t.3313–14:4(1936).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Basionym and/or Replacement Name: Rottboellia rariflora F.M. Bailey, Queensland Dep. Agric. Bot. Bull. 8: 86 (1893.).
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: HT: Bailey 15, Jun 1897, Australia: Queensland: Cook Distr.: Somerset, 10.45S 142.35E (BRI; IT: K).
Key references (books and floras): [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (310), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Illustrations: [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (311, Pl. 91).
Habit. Annual. Culms 10–60 cm tall, (4–)8–12 -noded. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades linear, flat or involute, 2–10 cm long, 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence solid, a rame (spicate). Rhachis tough.
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, 2–3 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, indurate, keeled, 2-keeled, 9 -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, 0–3 -nerved. Anthers 3.
Continental Distribution: Tropical Asia and Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Northern Territory, Queensland.
Queensland: Cook, North Kennedy.
Notes. Sandy patches and clearings in savanna woodland in northern Qld (mainly Cape York), extending to southern New Guinea. Flowers Mar.--June and Sept.--Oct.
