Moorochloa eruciformis* (Sm.) Veldkamp. Reinwardtia
12(2): 139 (2004).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Panicoideae. Paniceae.
Basionym and/or
Replacement Name: Panicum
eruciforme Sm, Fl. Graec. 1(2): 44, pl. 59 (1808).
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Greece:
Samos: in arvis circa Junonis templum, Sibthorp
s.n. (HT: OXF (photo, L, LD, LP)).
Recent synonyms:
Brachiaria eruciformis (Sm.)Veldk., Ledeb., Fl. Ross 4: 469
(1853).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia
(as Brachiaria eruciformis), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley &
D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales (303).
Illustrations:
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (303).
Habit. Annual.
Culms decumbent, stature slender to delicate, 10–60 cm tall. Ligule a fringe of
hairs, 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades linear or lanceolate, 2–15 cm long, 2–6 mm
wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous, glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle of spikes. Racemes 3–14, 0.5–2.5 cm long, 1–1
mm wide. Central inflorescence axis 1–8 cm long.
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), without rachilla extension, elliptic, dorsally
compressed, 1.7–2.7 mm long.
Glumes.
Glumes dissimilar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, membranous,
without keels, 0 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous or indumented. Upper
glume oblong, 1.7–2 mm long, membranous, without keels, 5 -nerved. Upper glume
surface glabrous or indumented. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, male,
with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret 100 % of length of spikelet,
membranous, 5 -nerved.
Fertile lemma 1.3–2.5
mm long, without keel. Palea without keels.
Continental
Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia,
Pacific, and South America.
Australian
Distribution: Queensland, New South Wales.
Queensland:
Burnett, Darling Downs, Leichhardt, Moreton, Port Curtis, Wide Bay.
Notes. Native
to Africa and the Mediterranean region. In
tropical and subtropical rain forests, tropical and subtropical wet sclerophyll
forests, Brigalow forests, tropical and subtropical sub-humid woodlands, and
semi-arid shrub woodlands. It has been widely distributed as a lawn grass and
now frequently occurs as a weed. Flowers throughout the year.
year.
