Thaumastochloa rubra M.S.M. Sosef & R. de Koning. Gard. Bull. Singapore 36: 157 (1983).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: IT: S.T. Blake 17636, 04 May 1947, Australia: Northern Territory, 198 m (L).
Key references (books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Habit. Annual. Culms 20–45 cm tall, 4–6 -noded. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades linear, flat or involute, 1.5–5 cm long, 1–2 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, oblong, dorsally compressed, 3–4 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong, 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, 2 -nerved. Anthers 3.
Continental Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Northern Territory.
Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf.
Notes. Sandy soils sometimes with Eucalyptus dichromophloia or E. tetradonta; a few localaties in northern N.T. Flowers May--June.
