Triodia acutispicula M. Lazarides, nom nov. Austral. Syst. Bot. 10: 400 (1997).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Chloridoideae. Triodeae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Plectrachne
caroliniana S.W.L. Jacobs, Nuytsia 8(2): 221 (1992).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Western Australia: Northern Province: Drysdale
River, 50 miles (80 km) NNW of Gibb River homestead, 30.viii.1954., M.
Lazarides 4916 (HT: NSW; IT: AD, BRI, CANB, DNA, K, MEL, PERTH, US).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Illustrations:
[2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3 (Fig.
L-O).
Habit.
Perennial. Culms 50–70 cm tall. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Leaf-sheath
auricles absent. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.5–2.3 mm long. Leaf-blades curved
or flexuous, conduplicate, 20–40 cm long, 0.7–1 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle lanceolate, dense or loose, 12–25 cm
long, 1.5–4 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (2–4), comprising 2–4 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, lanceolate, terete, 8–18 mm long.
Glumes.
Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, scarious,
without keels, 3–5(–9) -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous. Lower glume apex
mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate, 9–18 mm long, scarious, without keels,
3–5(–9) -nerved. Upper glume surface smooth or asperulous, glabrous. Upper
glume apex entire, mucronate.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 5–9 mm long, without keel or keeled, 9 -nerved. Lemma surface
glabrous. Lemma apex lobed, awned, 3 -awned. Median (principal) awn 9–12 mm
long overall. Lateral lemma awns present. Palea apex dentate. Lodicules
present. Anthers 3. Grain 2 mm long.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia.
Western Australia:
Gardner, Fitzgerald, Dampier. Fortescue.
Notes.
Distinguishing characters include bitextured, glabrous lemma with transverse
demarcation; bitextured glabrous palea; long pungent callus; terete spikelet.
Similar in spikelet morphology to P. schinzii but has smaller spikelet
dimensions (except callus), a longer lemma body, fewer nerved glumes and
non-resinous foliage.
NW
Northern Province, W.A. In sandy soils on Pindan plains and river levees;
flowers Jan.-Apr. (summer and autumn), persisting until Aug. (winter); fruits
Jan.-Apr. (summer and autumn), persisting until Aug. (winter).
