Triodia burbidgeana S.W.L. Jacobs. Nuytsia 8: 219 (1992).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Chloridoideae. Triodeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Western Australia: Northern Province; Mitchell Plateau,
Lat. 14º49' S, Long. 125º42' E, 31.v.1988., S.W.L. Jacobs 5812 & P.G.
Wilson (HT: NSW).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Illustrations:
[1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (71,
Pl. 21), [2005] K.Mallet (ed.), Flora of Australia 44B: Poaceae 3
(Fig. 35A-C).
Habit.
Perennial. Stolons present. Culms 60–150 cm tall. Leaf-sheaths smooth, glabrous
on surface. Leaf-sheath auricles absent. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 2 mm long.
Leaf-blades appressed or recurved, curved or flexuous, conduplicate, 30–60 cm
long, 1.3 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle of racemes. Panicle linear, 14–53 cm long,
3–5 cm wide.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (4–8), comprising 4–8 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, lanceolate, laterally compressed or terete, 4–8 mm long.
Glumes.
Glumes similar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, scarious or
cartilaginous, without keels or keeled, 1-keeled, 3–5 -nerved. Lower glume
surface glabrous. Lower glume apex muticous. Upper glume ovate, 3.5–5 mm long,
scarious or cartilaginous, without keels or keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved. Upper
glume surface smooth or asperulous, glabrous. Upper glume apex entire.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 3–4 mm long, without keel or keeled, 9 -nerved. Lemma surface
indumented. Lemma apex lobed. Palea apex entire. Lodicules present. Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory.
Western Australia:
Gardner, Hall. Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf.
Notes.
Distinguishing characters include the cartilaginous, glabrous, mostly smooth
glumes and lemmas; usually loose panicle of pedicelled distant spikelets; small
broad, subequal lemma lobes; cartilaginous, glabrous, smooth, relatively long
paleas.
Northern
areas of W.A. and N.T. Sandstone ranges and gorges, often in crevices and among
outcrops, or in coarse sand near perennial streams; flowers Dec.-Feb.,
June-Sept. and Nov.
