Germainia truncatiglumis (F. v. M. ex Benth.) Chaianan. Thai For. Bull. 6: 45 (1972).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Basionym and/or Replacement Name: Ischaemum truncatiglume F. Muell. ex Benth., Fl. Austral. 7: 518 (1878).
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: Australia, Arnhem Land: Mueller (K iso).
Recent synonyms: Sclerandrium truncatiglume.
Key references (books and floras): [1878] G.Bentham, Flora Australiensis 7 (518 as Ischaemum truncatiglume), [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (302 as Sclerandrium), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia.
Illustrations: [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (303, Pl.88 as Sclerandrium truncatiglume).
Habit. Perennial. Culms 55–150 cm tall, 4–5 -noded. Mid-culm nodes glabrous. Lateral branches simple. Ligule a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane, 1–2 mm long. Leaf-blades 10–50 cm long, 2–10 mm wide.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence digitate, with ramose branches. Central inflorescence axis 5–10 cm long.
Spikelets. Spikelets pedicelled, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets sessile, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets developed, male, 5–6.5 mm long. Companion spikelet glumes muticous. 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, lanceolate, terete, 3–4 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes similar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, chartaceous, without keels, 3–5 -nerved. Lower glume surface indumented. Upper glume oblong, chartaceous, without keels, 1–3 -nerved. Upper glume surface glabrous. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret hyaline.
Fertile lemma without keel, 1 -nerved. Lemma apex entire, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 15–25 mm long overall, with a twisted column. Palea absent. Lodicules absent or vestigial. Anthers 2.
Continental Distribution: Tropical Asia and Australasia.
Australian Distribution: Western Australia, Northern Territory.
Western Australia: Gardner, Fitzgerald. Northern Territory: Darwin & Gulf, Victoria River, Central Australia North.
Notes. Occurs in wet areas of sandy savanna country of northern N.T. and W.A. extending to New Guinea. Flowers July--Oct.
