Thaumastochloa x heteromorpha B.K.Simon. Austrobaileya
3: 90 (1989).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia: Queensland: Cabbage Tree Creek on road
from Laura to Cooktown, Lakefield National Park, Cape York Peninsula, 5 May
1987, Clarkson & B.K. Simon 6940 (HT: BRI; IT: K, L, MBA, NSW,
PERTH, QRS).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Habit. Annual.
Culms 20–55 cm tall, 6–9 -noded. Lateral branches branched. Leaf-sheaths hairy.
Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades straight or
curved, linear, flat or involute, 1.5–8 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, ovate, dorsally
compressed, 2.5–3 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong or ovate, indurate,
keeled, 2-keeled, 5–7 -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: Queensland.
Queensland:
Cook, North Kennedy.
Notes. Sandy
soils of Eucalyptus savanna area in the southern part of Cape York
Peninsula, Qld. Flowers Apr.--May.
