Xerochloa sp. (Mitchell 4323; Broome)
) Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Paniceae.
Habit. Annual. Culms 30–40 cm tall. Mid-culm internodes solid. Mid-culm nodes glabrous. Ligule a fringe of hairs, 0.2 mm long. Leaf-blades involute, 1–3 cm long, 0.5–1 mm wide.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence compound, a panicle of spikes. Panicle 1–6 cm long. Rhachis with distinctive protruberances on the margins and more sparingly on the back, glabrous on surface, terminating in a barren extension, extension subulate.
Spikelets. Spikelets sessile. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, the lower floret barren (rarely male), the upper fertile, comprising 1 basal sterile florets, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), with a barren rachilla extension, lanceolate, dorsally compressed, 3–5 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes dissimilar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, hyaline or membranous, without keels, 0 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous. Upper glume oblong, 3.5–4 mm long, chartaceous, without keels, 5 -nerved. Upper glume surface glabrous. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, male, with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret 100 % of length of spikelet, chartaceous, 5 -nerved.
Fertile lemma 3.5 mm long, without keel, 3 -nerved.
Continental Distribution: Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Western Australia.
Western Australia: Dampier.
Flora of Australia Notes. The rachis has distinctive protruberances on the margins and more sparingly on the back. The general facies hint at the possibility of generic status for this taxon, but further research is required.
Only known from the type locality.