Schizachyrium mitchelliana B.K.Simon. Austrobaileya
3: 90 (1989).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Panicoideae. Andropogoneae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: Australia:
Western Australia: Mitchell
River Station, Admiralty
Gulf, Nov/Dec 1973, T. Kubicki 53
(HT: PERTH).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Habit. Annual.
Culms 50–100 cm tall. Lateral branches branched. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 3
mm long. Leaf-blades 1.5–10 cm long, 0.8–3 mm wide.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, composed of rames. Rhachis fragile at the nodes.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets pedicelled, 1 in the
cluster. Companion spikelets rudimentary, comprising 2 unequal glumes without
lemmas, 2 mm long. Companion spikelet glumes awned. 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 or oblong or ovate, dorsally compressed, 4 mm
long.
Glumes.
Glumes dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate,
coriaceous, keeled, 2-keeled, winged on keel, winged narrowly. Lower glume
surface glabrous. Upper glume lanceolate, membranous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1
-nerved. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without significant
palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret hyaline.
Fertile lemma without
keel, 1 -nerved. Lemma apex lobed, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn from
a sinus, 7–20 mm long overall, with a twisted column. Palea absent.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia.
Western
Australia: Gardner.
Notes.
The habitat is unknown and the species is restricted to the type. Flowers Jun.
